TWI377842B - Imaging device, method of processing captured image signal and computer program - Google Patents

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13778(42 九、發明說明 【發明所屬之技術領域】 本發明係有關於，可將攝像所得之身爲靜止影像的影 像資訊予以記錄至記憶媒體的攝像裝置，和可適用於該攝 像裝置上的攝像訊號處理方法。又，係有關於此種攝像裝 置所執行的程式。 【先前技術】 近年來，例如數位靜態相機爲代表，將從攝像影像所 得到之靜止影像資料寫入至記憶媒體來進行記錄，藉此而 可進行照片攝影的攝像裝置，係廣爲普及。 可是，在進行此種照片攝影時，一般而言，被攝體是 處於正在運動中的情況下，使用者自認爲在很好的時序上 進行了快門（快門釋放）操作，而實際觀察所被記錄的照 片影像，卻因時序偏差而無法拍到預想的畫面，此種情形 屢見不鮮。其主要的原因之一，就是人在對某種事象有知 覺後而對其有所反應開始行動爲止，需要一段時間，這涵 蓋到人類生理特性的問題。因此，只要攝像裝置是由人類 來操作，上記快門釋放操作時序偏差所伴隨而來的所謂漏 拍之發生，是不可避免的。 於是作爲數位靜態相機等攝像裝置，就有提出如專利 文獻1、2所示，至少將快門釋放操作時序之前所依序拍 攝到的所定張數份的影像加以記錄，就可防止上記這類漏 拍。有此種漏拍防止機能，要將快門釋放操作前的攝像影 -4- I3778‘42 像加以記錄，必須要在快門釋放操作沒被進行時，也要將 基於攝像所得之靜止影像資料，在記億體中保持所定張數 份來備用。然後，隨應於快門釋放操作被進行，將記憶體 中所保持備用的靜止影像資料，加以記錄。如此所記錄而 成的靜止影像資料、亦即照片之中，存在有接近使用者所 欲拍攝之內容的可能性，係爲較高。藉此，就可補救因快 門時序的偏誤而無法拍到所預想之照片。 # 〔專利文獻1〕日本特開平5-328279號公報 〔專利文獻2〕日本特開平10-257365號公報 【發明內容】 〔發明所欲解決之課題〕 本案發明，也是以採用上記這種漏拍防止機能所需之 構成爲前提。因此，目的在於，對使用者而言謀求更多方 便性，可提供更爲有用的漏拍防止攝影機能。 〔用以解決課題之手段〕 於是，本案發明係考慮上記課題，而將攝像裝置設計 • 成如下構成。 .. 亦即，係具備有：攝像訊號取得手段，係將入射像光 轉換成電子訊號以獲得攝像訊號；和資料生成手段，係藉 由將相當於1個靜止影像單位的攝像訊號予以依序輸入， 而將具有作爲1靜止影像之畫面內容的攝像影像資料，依 序而連續地逐一生成；和記錄控制手段，係隨應於用來指 -5- 1377842 i 示要對應於其操作時序而將已獲得之攝像影像資料記錄至 記憶媒體的快門釋放操作所被進行的時序，而令攝像影像 資料記億至記億媒體，且係將快門釋放操作被進行之時序 以前之期間中所依序獲得的所定數之攝像影像資料，或快 門釋放操作被進行之時序以後所依序獲得的所定數之攝像 影像資料之至少任何一方，寫入至記憶媒體而加以記憶； 和操作手段，係當攝像影像資料是可視爲由像素之二維集 合所形成之情況下，進行相當於針對該攝像影像資料之像 素數做變更設定之操作：和像素數設定控制手段，係進行 控制，使其針對要被記錄控制手段所記錄的攝像影像資料 ，可獲得藉由對操作手段之操作所指定之像素數所形成的 結果。 又，作爲攝像訊號處理方法係構成如下。 亦即，係被構成爲，執行：攝像訊號取得程序，係將 入射像光轉換成電子訊號以獲得攝像訊號；和資料生成程 序，係藉由將相當於1個靜止影像單位的攝像訊號予以依 序輸入，而將具有作爲1靜止影像之畫面內容的攝像影像 資料，依序而連續地逐一生成；和記錄控制程序，係隨應 於用來指示要對應於其操作時序而將已獲得之攝像影像資 料記錄至記憶媒體的快門釋放操作所被進行的時序，而令 攝像影像資料記億至記憶媒體，且係將快門釋放操作被進 行之時序以前之期間中所依序獲得的所定數之攝像影像資 料，或快門釋放操作被進行之時序以後所依序獲得的所定 數之攝像影像資料之至少任何一方，寫入至記憶媒體而加 -6 - 1377842 4 以記憶；和設定資訊保持程序，係隨應於對操作手段的操 作，而將可代表經過變更設定之像素數之內容的設定資訊 ，加以保持，該操作手段係被設計成，當攝像影像資料是 可視爲由像素之二維集合所形成之情況下，進行相當於針 對該攝像影像資料之像素數做變更設定之操作；和像素數 設定控制程序，係進行控制，使其針對要被記錄控制程序 所記錄的攝像影像資料，可獲得依設定資訊所示之像素數 所形成的結果》 又，作爲程式係構成如下。 亦即，係構成爲令攝像裝置執行：資料生成程序，係 從將入射像光轉換成電子訊號而獲得攝像訊號的攝像訊號 取得手段，藉由將相當於1個靜止影像單位的上記攝像訊 號予以依序輸入，而將具有作爲1靜止影像之畫面內容的 攝像影像資料，依序而連續地逐一生成；和記錄控制程序 ，係隨應於用來指示要對應於其操作時序而將已獲得之攝 像影像資料記錄至記憶媒體的快門釋放操作所被進行的時 序，而令攝像影像資料記憶至記憶媒體，且係將快門釋放 操作被進行之時序以前之期間中所依序獲得的所定數之攝 像影像資料，或快門釋放操作被進行之時序以後所依序獲 得的所定數之攝像影像資料之至少任何一方，寫入至記億 媒體而加以記憶；和設定資訊保持程序，係隨應於對操作 手段的操作，而將可代表經過變更設定之像素數之內容的 設定資訊，加以保持，該操作手段係被設計成，當攝像影 像資料是可視爲由像素之二維集合所形成之情況下，進行 1377842 i 相當於針對該攝像影像資料之像素數做變更設定之操作； 和像素數設定控制程序，係進行控制，使其針對要被記錄 控制程序所記錄的攝像影像資料，可獲得依設定資訊所示 之像素數所形成的結果》 〔發明效果〕 若如此設計，則本案發明的漏拍防止機能係可支援， 例如當使用者重視高畫質的情況，和想要更爲減少漏拍可 能性的情況。藉此，例如相較於攝像影像之像素數被設成 固定的情形，對使用者而言是被給予了高畫質優先、和漏 拍防止效果優先之間的選項，因此可以提供更有用的漏拍 防止機能。 【實施方式】 以下，說明用以實施本案發明之最佳形態（以下稱爲 實施形態）。本實施形態，係舉例將基於本案發明之構成 ，適用於屬於數位靜態相機的攝像裝置時的情形。 圖1係圖示作爲本實施形態的攝像裝置1之構成例。 由以下的說明也可理解，本實施形態的攝像裝置1， 其基本機能，係將進行攝像所得之影像光予以訊號化而獲 得訊號。然後，對該訊號實施所定的影像訊號處理以獲得 靜止影像的影像訊號資料亦即攝像影像，然後將該攝像影 像資料記錄至記億媒體，並可藉由顯示部23而顯示成影 像0 -8- 1377842 4 於圖1所示的構成中，首先，光學系部11，係具備例 如：包含變焦透鏡、聚焦透鏡等所定片數的攝像用透鏡群 、光圈等所構成，將入射的光當作攝像光而使其成像在影 像感測器12的受光面上。 又’於光學系部11中，還具備有用來驅動上記變焦 透鏡、聚焦透鏡、光圈等所需的驅動機構部。這些驅動機 構部，係例如被控制部1 8所執行的變焦控制、自動焦點 調整控制、自動曝光控制等一般相機控制，而控制著其動 作。 影像感測器12，係將上記光學系部11所得到的攝像 光轉換成電子訊號，進行所謂的光電轉換。因此，影像感 測器12，係將來自光學系部π的攝像光，於光電轉換元 件的受光面進行受光’將隨應於受光之光強度而累積的訊 號電荷’以所定的時序依序輸出。藉此，就會輸出對應於 攝像光的電子訊號（攝像訊號）。此外，被當成影像感測 器〗2而採用的光電轉換元件（攝像元件）雖然沒有特別 限定’但就現狀而言，係可舉例如CMOS感測器或CCD ( Charge Coupled Device)等。又，當採用CMOS感測器時 ，相當於影像感測器1 2的器件（零件），亦可爲含有相 當於以下所述之A/D轉換器13的類比-數位轉換器之構成 〇 從上記影像感測器12所輸出的攝像訊號，輸入至 A/D轉換器13’藉此就被轉換成數位訊號，被輸入至訊號 處理部14。 -9- 1377842 4 在訊號處理部14中，針對從A/D轉換器1 3所輸出的 數位之攝像訊號，以例如相當於1個靜止影像（畫格影像 )之單位來進行擷取，針對如此擷取到的靜止影像單位的 攝像訊號實施所要的訊號處理，就生成了相當於1張靜止 影像的影像訊號資料亦即攝像影像資料。如此生成的攝像 影像資料，例如可因應需要而寫入記億體1 5中加以保持 備用。 # 如上記於訊號處理部14中所生成的攝像影像資料， 將其當成對應於照片的攝像影像資訊而記億在記億媒體30 中時，例如，係將對應於1個靜止影像的攝像影像資料， 從訊號處理部14對編碼/解碼部16進行輸出》 編碼/解碼部16，係針對從訊號處理部14所輸出而來 的靜止影像單位之攝像影像資料，藉由所定之靜止影像壓 縮編碼方式來執行壓縮編碼後，例如隨應於控制部18的 控制而附加標頭等，轉換成所定格式的壓縮靜止影像檔的 ♦ 格式。然後，將如此所生成的壓縮靜止影像檔，傳輸至媒 體控制器1 7。媒體控制器1 7，係遵照控制部1 8的控制， 對記億媒體30，將被傳輸過來的壓縮靜止影像檔資料，進 - 行寫入而記憶。此外，記憶媒體3 0，實際上係例如由快閃 . 記憶體等所構成的小型之可移除式媒體，是對攝像裝置1 上所具備的記憶媒體30用插槽，進行裝塡而使用。 又，攝像裝置1，係可利用訊號處理部14所獲得之攝 像影像資料，以顯示部23來執行影像顯示，藉此就可將 攝影中的影像，亦即所謂的監視器影像，加以顯示。例如 1377842 < 於訊號處理部14中，如之前所說明，將從A/D轉換器13 所輸出的攝像訊號加以擷取而生成相當於1張靜止影像的 攝像影像資料，但藉由持續該動作，就可將相當於動畫中 的畫格影像的攝像影像資料，依序逐一生成。然後，將如 此被依序生成的攝像影像資料，按照控制部18的控制， 對顯示驅動器22進行傳輸。 在顯示驅動器22中，基於如上記從訊號處理部14所 輸入過來的攝像影像資料，生成用來驅動顯示部23所需 的驅動訊號，對顯示部23進行輸出。藉此，於顯示部23 上，基於靜止影像單位之攝像影像資料的影像，就會被依 序顯示。使用者只要觀察其，就可看到此時所拍攝之影像 ’在顯示部23上被動態顯示。亦即，顯示出監視器影像 〇 又，攝像裝置1，係亦可將記憶媒體30中所記憶的靜 止影像檔予以再生，將該影像對顯示部23進行顯示。 爲此’控制部18,係指定出特定的靜止影像檔，然後 對媒體控制器17命令從記憶媒體30中讀出資料。回應於 該命令’媒體控制器17係對所被指定之靜止影像檔所被 記憶的記憶媒體30上之位址進行存取，執行資料讀出， 將讀出的資料，對編碼/解碼部16進行傳輸。 編碼/解碼部1 6，係例如按照控制部1 8之控制，從媒 體控制器17所傳輸過來的靜止影像檜的資料當中，取出 身爲壓縮靜止影像資料的實體資料，針對該壓縮靜止影像 資料’執行相對於壓縮編碼的解碼處理，獲得對應於〗個 -11 - 1377842 < i 靜止影像的攝像影像資料。然後，將該攝像影像資料對顯 示驅動器22進行傳輸。藉此，於顯示部23上，就會顯示 出記憶媒體30中所記憶的靜止影像檔的影像。 又’對顯示部23’係除了上記的監視器影像或靜止影 像檔的再生影像等’還可顯示作爲GUI機能的使用者介面 影像。此種情況下，例如隨應於此時的動作狀態等，控制 部18係生成必要的使用者介面影像之顯示用影像資料， 將其對顯示驅動器22進行輸出。藉此，於顯示部23上就 會顯示出使用者介面影像。此外，該使用者介面影像，係 可例如特定的選單畫面等，是在監視器影像或靜止影像檔 之再生影像係亦可個別地顯示在顯示部23的顯示畫面上 ，於監視器影像或靜止影像檔之再生影像上的一部分，進 行重疊、合成而加以顯示。 控制部 18，實際上戲例如具備 CPU ( Central Processing Unit)而構成，和 ROM19、RAM20 等一起構成 微電腦。ROM19中，例如，除了控制部18之CPU所執行 的程式以外，還記憶著攝像裝置1之動作上所相關連的各 種設定資訊等。RAM20，係爲給CPU用的主記憶裝置。 又，此時的快閃記憶體2 1，係例如隨著使用者操作或 動作履歷等而有變更之必要性的各種設定資訊等加以記憶 所需時所使用，而設置的不揮發性記憶領域。若是採用例 如快閃記憶體等的不揮發性記憶體來作爲ROM 1 9時’則 亦可取代快閃記億體21，改爲使用ROM19中的一部分記 億領域。 -12- 1377842 4 操作部24係包含，攝像裝置1上所具備的各種操作 件，和對這些操作件進行操作而生成操作資訊訊號而向 CPU輸出的操作資訊訊號輸出部位。控制部18係隨應於 從操作部24所輸入之操作資訊訊號而執行所定之處理。 藉此就會執行相應於使用者操作的攝像裝置1之動作。 又，此處，作爲操作部24中所具備的操作件，特別 圖示了快門鍵24a。快門鍵24a，係爲用來輸入攝影記錄 的觸發，具有例如可按壓操作的構造。然後，對快門鍵 24a之操作，係如大家所熟知，例如進行半按狀態之操作 (此處稱之爲焦點調整操作），就會執行自動焦點控制之 動作，此時會對被拍攝的被攝體進行對焦而自動進行焦點 調整（聚焦透鏡驅動）。然後，從該半按狀態再進行按壓 操作而進行完全將快門鍵24a按到底的操作（此處稱之爲 快門釋放操作），則會進行攝像影像的記錄。亦即，如之 前所述，將基於攝像訊號所得之靜止影像檔（攝像影像資 料係爲其實際資料），記憶至記憶媒體30。 如上記所構成的本實施形態的攝像裝置1中，作爲將 攝像影像（靜止影像檔）記錄至記憶媒體30的攝影記錄 動作，係首先假設爲，將通常照片攝影所對應之攝像影像 加以記錄的通常攝影模式所致之攝影記錄，是可以進行。 在此通常攝影模式下，對應於對快門鍵24a進行快門 釋放操作之事實，該快門釋放操作被進行時進行攝像所得 到的1個攝像影像，亦即1個靜止影像份的攝像影像資料 ，係被當成1個靜止影像檔而記錄至記憶媒體30。 -13- 1377842 然後在本實施形態中係構成爲，作爲攝影記錄動作， 是可執行漏拍防止攝影模式的攝影記錄動作。該漏拍防止 攝影模式，係也可根據以下的說明來理解，隨著快門釋放 操作被進行，結果而言，以該快門釋放操作被進行的時序 爲起點，從此起算回朔某段時間至過去時點爲止的期間內 進行連拍而拍攝到的複數張的靜止影像（靜止影像檔）， 和從快門釋放操作被進行之時序起算至行進了某段時間之 時點爲止的期間內進行連拍而拍攝到的複數張的靜止影像 (靜止影像檔），會被記憶至記憶媒體30中。 此外，此處所謂的連拍係指，以某段時間間隔而連續 地依序攝影所得的攝像影像（靜止影像檔）被記錄至記憶 媒體的產生如此結果的動作，是被攝像裝置1自動地執行 〇 前者的通常攝影模式，是目前爲止於數位靜態相機上 所被採用的一般之攝影記錄動作，但此種通常攝影模式的 攝影記錄動作，係如之前也說明過的，要吻合實際的快門 釋放操作時序，獲得使用者所意圖時序之攝像影像，是很 困難的。亦即，使用者想拍攝之時序的畫面被漏掉的可能 性，相對較高。其主要原因，第1，係如之前也稍微說明 過的，人在對某事有知覺然後對其有反應進而行動爲止之 間，是存在有時差。亦即，即使使用者認爲這是快門機會 而立刻進行快門釋放操作，但是實際上到快門釋放操作的 快門鍵24a完全按壓的時序，係會發生某種程度的延遲。 又，尤其是在數位靜態相機等數位影像機器中，來自攝像 -14- 1377842 元件的訊號傳輸速度等，數位訊號處理所需的時間，也是 造成快門釋放操作時序、和使用者所期望之攝像影像時序 之間，發生偏誤的主要原因。 於是，若藉由漏拍防止攝影模式，使得在跨越快門釋 放操作前後的某段期間內連拍到的攝影影像是被記錄至記 憶媒體30，則在這些被記錄的攝像影像當中，存在有與使 用者所期望的相同或是大致相近時序上所拍攝得內容之攝 像影像的可能性，就非常的高。亦即，可以防止如上記的 使用者想拍攝之時序的畫面的漏掉。 因此，在本實施形態中是設計成，於漏拍防止攝影模 式下，隨應於使用者的設定操作而被連拍記錄之攝像影像 資料所應具有的像素數，例如是以預先設定的標準値爲基 準，而可加以變更設定。 此外，此處所謂的像素數，係指相當於1個靜止影像 的攝像影像資料，是被視爲由二維的像素資料之集合所形 成之情形下，實際上形成該攝像影像資料的像素資料之數 目，因此一般而言係藉由水平方向上的像素資料數和垂直 方向上的像素資料數的乘算而求得的値。 然後，該像素數，係例如若於訊號處理階段中，沒有 經過編輯加工性的像素資料之抽略、內插等所致之像素數 轉換處理爲前提，則可同義地對應於影像感測器12中將 有效的攝像訊號予以取出所用的受光部之像素數（攝像像 素數）。 然後，於本實施形態的漏拍防止模式下’將攝像影像 -15- 1377842 資料之像素數加以變更設定，係設有「標準模式」、「快 門機會優先模式」、「畫質優先模式」的3種關於像素數 的模式（像素數模式）。然後，使用者係從這3種模式當 中選擇決定任何1者，就可進行像素數的變更設定。 「標準模式」，係於漏拍防止模式中將具有作爲標準 像素數而預先設定之像素數（標準像素數）的攝像影像資 料，以漏拍防止模式進行連拍記錄的動作模式。 • 「快門機會優先模式」*係將具有少於上記標準像素 數之所定像素數的攝像影像資料，以漏拍防止模式進行連 拍記錄的動作模式。 「畫質優先模式」，係將具有多於上記標準像素數之 所定像素數的攝像影像資料，以漏拍防止模式進行連拍記 錄的動作模式。 如眾所周知，攝像影像資料的像素數越多，則解析度 越高，在精細度這點上係可獲得高畫質。但是，由於資料 • 大小增加，因此訊號處理負擔變重，例如處理1張影像所 需的時間也變長。然後，如後述，每個攝像影像資料的訊 號處理時間，於漏拍防止模式下，係對應於連拍記錄動作 • 中記錄1個攝像影像資料起至記錄下個攝像影像資料爲止 . 的時間，亦即連拍間隔。連拍間隔越短，則每單位時間所 能拍攝的影像張數越多，發生漏拍的可能性越低。亦即， 在本實施形態的漏拍防止模式下，隨應於像素數的攝像影 像資料之畫質與連拍間隔，係爲取捨關係。 標準模式所對應的標準像素數，係於漏拍防止模式下 -16- 1377842 ，使上記畫質與連拍間隔的平衡爲最佳，而被求出的像素 數。 因此’例如，當使用者以漏拍防止模式進行攝影之際 ，若設定成該標準模式，則可獲得以最佳畫質與連拍間隔 所拍攝到的影像。 相對於此’在快門機會優先模式下，會設定成少於標 準像素數的所定像素數。像素數減少，就意味著畫質不及 標準模式，但連拍間隔變短，換來每單位時間能夠拍攝的 影像數增加，因此漏拍發生的可能性、亦即快門機會漏掉 的可能性，係較標準模式更爲降低。 使用者例如在拍攝非常快速運動的被攝體等情況下， 畫質可做某種程度犧牲，但想極力避免漏拍的時候，就可 設定成此一快門機會優先模式。 又，在「畫質優先模式」下，由於設定成較標準模式 多的像素數，因此連拍間隔會變長，可是被攝像記錄之影 像的畫質，係較標準模式良好。 於是，使用者係在拍攝例如有運動但沒那麼迅速的被 攝體等情況下，即使保有某種程度的漏拍可能性但仍想讓 畫質優先的時候，就可設定成「畫質優先模式」。 圖2中係圖示了，使用者在選擇決定上記像素數模式 時所需的操作畫面，亦即像素數模式設定畫面的顯示樣態 例。 例如若使用者對攝像裝置1之操作部24所具備的所 定操作件進行操作，叫出進行漏拍防止模式相關設定的選 -17- 1377842 單畫面之1的像素數模式設定畫面，則該圖2所示之像素 數模式設定畫面，係被顯示在顯示部23的顯示畫面部 23A 中。 該像素數模式設定畫面中，快門機會優先模式選擇區 域Arl、標準模式選擇區域Ar2、及畫質優先模式選擇區 域Ar3係被排列顯示，游標CR係被配置在這些選擇區域 之任一者。 # 上記游標CR，係隨應於使用者對所定操作件之操作 ’而可在上記3個選擇區域間移動。游標CR所被配置而 被強調顯示側的選擇區域所表示的模式，係代表使用者所 選擇的模式》於是，使用者係在快門機會優先模式選擇區 域Arl、標準模式選擇區域ΑΓ2、及畫質優先模式選擇區 域Ar3當中，將游標CR配置在自己想要設定的模式所對 應的選擇區域上，就進行了選擇決定所需之所定操作。藉 此’在攝像裝置1上，關於漏拍防止模式中的連拍間隔， ® 就會設定成快門機會優先模式、標準模式、畫質優先模式 之任一者。 如上記所決定之漏拍防止模式下的關於像素數模式的 • 設定內容，係對快閃記憶體21被當成像素數模式設定資 • 訊而儲存。像素數模式設定資訊係表示了，每次執行漏拍 防止模式之攝影動作時，關於像素數模式，是被設定成標 準模式、快門機會優先模式、畫質優先模式之哪種模式的 資訊。 接著’說明本實施形態的漏拍防止模式之動作。 -18- 1377842 首先，一旦在漏拍防止模式被設定之狀態下進入攝像 模式’則攝像裝置1係無關於像素數模式是被設定成哪種 模式’在快門釋放操作被進行以前的期間，將從現時點起 回朔至某一定時間爲止之期間內攝影所得的攝像影像的攝 像影像資料，定常性地保持在記憶體15中而動作（前影 像確保動作）。如此而被保持在記億體15中的攝像影像 資料’係可由後述動作說明來理解，是被當成被連拍記錄 之前影像而記憶至記憶媒體30中的靜止影像檔而獲得。 圖3係模式性圖示上記前影像確保動作的訊號處理程 序例。 在漏拍防止模式已被設定之狀態下，若啓動攝像模式 ’則訊號處理部14係將從影像感測器12透過A/D轉換器 U所輸出的數位之攝像訊號加以擷取，依序逐一生成相當 於1張靜止影像的攝像影像資料。然後，將如此生成的攝 像影像資料，對記憶體15中所設定之所定容量的攝像影 像資料保持用領域，進行寫入而加以保持。此外，如此被 寫入記億體15而保持的相當於1張靜止影像（攝像影像 )的攝像影像資料，因爲是在記憶體15中被保持（緩衝 )，所以也稱作緩衝區攝像影像資料。 此處，若漏拍防止模式所致之攝像動作被啓動，則首 先，訊號處理部14係將最初生成的攝像影像資料D(l) ，寫入至記憶體15。藉此，首先，攝像影像資料1係被保 持在記憶體15中。接著，訊號處理部14係依序地，每次 生成攝像影像資料D(2) 、D(3)…時，便將其逐一寫 -19- 1377842 入至記憶體15中》藉此，如圖示，如緩衝區攝像影像資 料1' ........在記億體15中，緩衝區攝像影像資料是 從舊往新依序逐一累積，一旦在某個時序上，累積到第n 張緩衝區攝像影像資料η時，則此時，記憶體15的緩衝 區攝像影像資料用領域中，就會變成沒有保持下個緩衝區 攝像影像資料的空間領域的狀態。 一旦變成上記狀態，則訊號處理部14係將後續之第η + 1張所對應之攝像影像資料D(n+1)，覆寫至已經在 記憶體15中被當成緩衝區攝像影像資料1而保持的攝像 影像資料D(l)上，執行對記憶體15的寫入。藉此，記 憶體15上的緩衝區攝像影像資料1之實體，就會從攝像 影像資料D(l)變成攝像影像資料D(n+〇 。然後，接 續其後，第n+2張以降至第2η張的攝像影像資料D(n + 2) 、D(n+3)〜D(2n)在進行寫入之際，分別如圖 所示，將被當成緩衝區攝像影像資料2〜η而加以保持的 攝像影像資料D(2)〜D(n)分別予以覆寫，而逐一進 行寫入。然後，其以降的攝像影像資料D( 2η+1) 、D( 2n+ 2)…，係以和上記相同的程序，將被保持爲緩衝區 攝像影像資料〗、2…的攝像影像資料予以覆寫，而逐一進 行對記憶體15的寫入。 亦即，在記憶體1 5中的緩衝區攝像影像資料是剛好 保持在最大可能保持數η的狀態下，新來的攝像影像資料 ，係在記億體15所保持的緩衝區攝像影像資料當中，將 最爲過去的攝像影像資料予以覆寫使其刪除的方式，而逐 -20- 1377842 一進行寫入。如此一來，在本實施形態的攝像裝置1中’ 當漏拍防止模式被設定而啓動攝像動作時，於記憶體15 中，將從現時點起回朔至某一定時間之過去時點爲止之期 間中進行連拍而得的η張份的最新攝像影像資料，經常性 地（除了最初的攝像影像資料1〜η的保持期間外）加以 保持備用。 接著，藉由圖4，說明漏拍防止模式下的標準模式之 動作。 在圖4中係圖示了，攝像影像資料A(l)〜Α(η) 、攝像影像資料B(l)〜B(m)。這些攝像影像資料， 係隨應於時點tl之時序上所執行之快門釋放操作而被當 成靜止影像檔記億在記憶媒體30中，於圖中，是將各個 攝像影像資料是被訊號處理部14所生成而被寫入至記億 體1 5中的時序，模式性地加以圖示。 如之前依圖3所說明，當以漏拍防止模式來啓動攝像 動作時，經常性地將某預定η個攝像影像資料的最新份， 逐一加以保持。如此被保持在記憶體15中的最新之攝像 影像資料’係於圖4中被圖示成，以時點tl的快門釋放 操作爲起點而回朔至時點t0爲止之期間亦即前影像擷取 期間T1中’所生成的n個攝像影像資料Α(ι)〜A(n) e 例如從時點t0起開始的處理時間Tpr的某時間長之 期間中’將從影像感測器1 2側輸出的攝像訊號予以揺取 以生成作爲攝像影像資料A(l)的攝像影像資料，並執 -21 - 1377842 行將其寫入記憶體15的處理，以降，每到大致同時間長 的處理時間Tpr，就執行生成攝像影像資料A(2)〜A(n )的攝像影像資料而寫入至記憶體15的處理。因此，此 圖的情況下，屬於前影像資料的這些攝像影像資料A(1 )〜A(n)，係以攝像影像資料A(l) 、A(2)…A(n )之順序，逐一變成較接近現時點的新資料。 又，上記攝像影像資料A(l)〜A(n)係假設爲具 有像素數Μ。該像素數Μ，係對應於標準模式而訂定》 然後在此處，假設在時點tl的時序上，進行了快門 釋放操作。 隨應於該操作，於攝像裝置上，首先，於快門釋放操 作時序亦即時點1上，將記憶體〗5中所保持的攝像影像 資料、亦即圖4所示的攝像影像資料A(l)〜A(n)， 以訊號處理部15加以讀出後，對記憶媒體30，當成靜止 影像檔而依序寫入而逐一記憶。如此，首先會進行前影像 的記錄。 又，於攝像裝置1中，在時點tl上進行快門釋放操 作以降，也會以即時獲得的攝像訊號爲基礎，藉由訊號處 理部4,逐一生成攝像影像資料、亦即攝像影像資料B(1 )、B(2)…。此處，如此生成的攝像影像資料B(l) 、B(2)…的像素數，係會直接繼承了時點tl以前所生 成之攝像影像資料的像素數。亦即’攝像影像資料 )、B(2) . ··也具有標準像素數Μ。 然後，快門釋放操作時序亦即時點11起至經過某一 -22- 1377842 定時間之時點t2爲止之期間亦即後影像擷取期間T2中所 取得的η張份的攝像影像資料B(l)〜Β(η)，係對記 憶媒體30當成靜止影像檔而逐一記錄。這些攝像影像資 料B(l)〜Β(η)，係成爲被記憶在記憶媒體30中的後 影像。 此外，此處，作爲前影像擷取期間Τ1、及後影像擷 取期間Τ2，係考慮使得漏拍防止效果必須爲有效，而設 定了適切的時間長。亦即，這些影像擷取期間（ΤΙ、Τ2) 若過短，則只能獲得緊臨快門釋放操作之前的時序的攝像 影像’因此更早時序上的攝像影像就會漏拍。又，若這些 影像擷取期間（ΤΙ、Τ2)過長，就會在記憶體15中保持 過多的回朔到過去之時序的攝像影像，又，由於要令其被 記憶至記憶媒體30，因此例如爲了無用的攝像影像而使用 記憶體15或記憶媒體30等之容量，並非理想。影像擷取 期間（ΤΙ、Τ2)的時間是設定成，不使這些不良情形發生 。因此，在本實施形態，關於前影像擷取期間Τ1與後影 像擷取期間Τ2，係設定成相同的時間長。因此被記憶在 記憶媒體30中的前影像（攝像影像資料Α(1)〜Α(η) )’和後影像（攝像影像資料B(l)〜Β(η))係爲同 數。 接著，藉由圖5,說明漏拍防止模式下的快門機會優 先模式之動作》 該快門機會優先模式中，關於身爲前影像的攝像影像 資料A(l)〜Α(η) ’和身爲後影像的攝像影像資料β -23- 1377842 (1)〜B(n)，是以具有少於標準模式對應像素數河的 所定像素數N之結果，來加以生成。 於本實施形態中，形成攝像影像資料具有某像素數之 結果，係對影像感測器12設定攝像影像資料之具有像素 數所對應之攝像像素數然後執行攝像’因而產生。因此’ 如圖4所示，攝像影像資料A(l)〜A(n) 、B(l)〜B (η)會帶有像素數Μ之結果’係對影像感測器12設定對 應於像素數Μ之攝像影像數所造成：如該圖所示，攝像影 像資料 A(l)〜Α(η) 、Β(1)〜Β(η)會帶有像素數 Ν之結果，係對影像感測器12設定對應於像素數Ν之攝 像影像數所造成。 然後，一旦如此對影像感測器12設定不同攝像影像 數，則生成作爲攝像影像資料A(l)〜Α(η) 、Β(1) 〜Β (η)的攝像影像資料而寫入至記憶體〗5爲止的處理 時間Tpr，也會不同。 亦即，生成攝像影像資料而寫入至記憶體15爲止的 期間，首先，從影像感測器12經由A/D轉換器13而將一 靜止畫面（一畫面）份的攝像訊號加以輸出，訊號處理部 14將其擷取，但此擷取所需時間，是略正比於影像感測器 12所被設定的攝像影像數而增長。影像感測器12的構成 上，傳輸像素單位訊號的速度本身，是基於例如傳輸時脈 ，因此無關於攝像元件而爲一定。又，根據訊號處理部14 所擷取到之攝像訊號來生成攝像影像資料所需之處理時間 ，和將已生成之攝像影像資料保持在記憶體15所需之從 -24- 1377842 訊號處理部14傳輸至記憶體15的時間，也都會隨著影像 感測器所被設定之攝像像素數越多而變得越長。攝像像素 數越多，則作爲攝像影像資料的資料大小係會變得越大。 因此，在設定成圖5的快門機會優先模式的情況下， 關於攝像影像資料A(l)〜A(n) 、B〇)〜B(n)， 藉由設定成小於標準模式時之像素數Μ的像素數，就可使 攝像影像資料A(l)〜Α(η) 、Β(1)〜Β(η)每一者 # 所需之處理時間Tpr，較標準模式時更爲縮短。 此處，處理時間Tpr被縮短係意味著，例如若將攝像 影像資料A(l)〜A(n) 'B(l)〜B(n)視爲連拍記 錄之結果時，藉由連拍獲得下個攝像影像爲止的時間間隔 (連拍間隔）就可被縮短。又，這也意味著每單位時間中 ，連拍所得的攝像影像數也會變多。然後，藉由如此縮短 連拍間隔，快門釋放操作前之時序上發生漏拍的可能性， 就可較標準模式更爲降低。 • 此外，此處，作爲快門機會優先模式的前影像擷取期 間T1、及後影像擷取期間T2，係設成和圖4的標準模式 時相同。只不過，嚴謹來說，由於標準模式和快門機會優 • 先模式在每]個攝像影像資料的處理時間Tpr是不同的， . 因此有時並非完全同一。 又，爲了確認而先說明，在設定了大致相同之影像擷 取期間（τι、T2 )的情況下’隨著處理時間Tpr變短’相 較於標準模式的情況’快門機會優先模式時在記憶體15 中所保持的攝像影像資料數會較多。又’記憶體】5中所 -25- 1377842 保持的η張份的攝像影像資料的總容量，也是若影像擷取 期間（Τ 1、Τ2 )各自大致相同，則在標準模式和快門機會 優先模式中也會幾乎相同。 本實施形態的具體例係可考慮爲，標準模式所對應之 攝像影像資料的像素數Μ是設定了 800萬（8Μ)，前影 像擷取期間Τ1和後影像擷取期間Τ2則分別設定了約〇. 5 秒。此時，在標準模式下，於前影像擷取期間Τ1及後影 像擷取期間Τ2中，大約可獲得7〜8張左右的前影像（攝 像影像資料）。 又，快門機會優先模式所對應之攝像影像資料的像素 數Μ，係考慮設定成200萬（2Μ)。此外，上記亦有說明 ，關於前影像擷取期間Τ1與後影像擷取期間Τ2,係設定 成和標準模式相同的約0.5秒。例如獲得攝像影像資料所 需之處理時間Tpr，由於係大致正比於.所生成之攝像影像 資料的像素數，因此在快門機會優先模式下的處理時間 Tpr，係爲標準模式時的約1/4。因此，在快門機會優先模 式下，前影像擷取期間T1內所得到的攝像影像資料數， 係爲約30張左右。 順便一提，與標準模式的關係上，圖5所示的快門機 會優先模式，係以更降低漏拍機率爲目的而縮短了連拍間 隔（相當於處理時間Tpr)，因此可說是採取了關於攝像 影像資料爲減少像素數的手法。作爲其他針對前影像縮短 連拍間隔所需之手法，還可考慮採用例如專利文獻1中所 揭露（尤其是參照圖3、圖4)，改變用來決定對記憶體 -26- 1377842 寫入時序的寫入脈衝週期（頻率）之構成。若爲該手法’ 則可例如在攝像影像資料的像素數爲一定的條件下’使得 連拍間隔縮短》 然而，現在的數位攝像裝置所擁有的攝像元件（影像 感測器）的總像素數，1 000萬像素級的產品已經普及，這 較數年前也有飛躍性地增加。因此，於攝像裝置上生成1 筆攝像影像資料而寫入至記億體時的處理時間，也較先前 大幅變長。對此，於攝像裝置中生成攝像影像資料的元件 等之訊號處理速度，在技術上、成本上均趕不上像素成長 ，是目前的實情。因此在現況下，意圖性地延長攝像影像 資料所需之處理時間，因爲只會使得攝像動作變鈍變慢， 基於這個理由，所以不會這麼做。 若無視於此種背景的存在，而例如專利文獻1般地切 換寫入脈衝（時脈）的頻率來縮短連拍間隔（攝像影像資 料生成所需之處理時間），則在標準模式時的連拍間隔， 必須刻意設定較長而使其帶有某種程度的餘裕。如此一來 ，對應於標準模式之像素數Μ的攝像影像資料的連拍間隔 ，就有可能長達不足以實用的程度。 亦即，在攝像裝置之攝像元件的像素數飛躍增加的現 況下’要以專利文獻1所揭露的技術，獲得實用上足夠的 防止漏拍機能，是有困難的。 於是’本實施形態，係採用減少像素數，來縮短連拍 間隔。若依據此構成，則攝像影像資料處理所需之時脈係 可總是設定爲最高頻率’像素數Μ之攝像影像資料的連拍 -27- 1377842 間隔，可獲得作爲標準而在實用上爲足夠的短時間。然後 ，在快門機會優先模式下，可將連拍間隔縮短到能夠充分 獲得漏拍機率降低效果之程度。 又，專利文獻2中，雖然記載了將本實施形態中相當 於連拍間隔（處理時間Tpr )的攝影間隔T予以變更設定 ，但並未記載藉由何種技術構成來變更該攝影間隔T。又 ，該攝影間隔T，係例示了爲例如1秒、0.5秒、0.3秒等 。此時係亦可考慮，例如專利文獻1所揭露，藉由改變時 脈（寫入脈衝）的頻率來對應之。相對於此，在本實施形 態中係想定爲，例如在0.5秒左右的前影像擷取期間T1 內，連拍8張〜30張左右的攝像影像，此時的攝影間隔（ 連拍間隔：處理時間Tpr )係爲62.5ms〜16ms左右，相較 於專利文獻2是非常的短。因此，爲了縮短連拍間隔，使 攝像影像資料的像素數爲可變的手法，是有效的。 若是以漏拍防止機能爲目的，則使用者除了標準·模式 以外而頻繁使用的模式，應該就是上記快門機會優先模式 。然而，對使用者而言，即使以漏拍防止模式進行連拍， 也想要比標準模式更重視高畫質，以此爲優先考量的需求 爲了滿足如此需求，本實施形態係還設有畫質優先模 式《藉由圖6來說明畫質優先模式的記錄動作。 如圖6中所記載，在畫質優先模式中，關於身爲前影 像的攝像影像資料A(l)〜A(n)，和身爲後影像的攝 像影像資料B(l)〜B(n)，是以具有多於標準模式對 -28- 1377842 應像素數Μ的所定像素數L之結果’來加以生成。亦即 ，對影像感測器12 ’是設定了對應於像素數L之攝像影 像數。 然後，如此而對影像感測器12’設定大於標準模式時 的攝像像素數，藉此，記憶媒體30中所記憶的攝像影像 資料A(l)〜A(n) 、B(1)〜B(n)，係具有多於標 準模式對應之像素數Μ的像素數L。亦即，作爲被漏拍防 止模式所記錄之攝像影像，係可獲得3種像素數模式中， 畫質最高的影像。 只不過，具有像素數L的攝像影像資料，相較於具有 對應標準模式之像素數Μ的攝像影像資料，資料大小較大 ，因此，生成攝像影像資料而寫入至記憶體15爲止的處 理時間Tpr，係長於標準模式時。又，若影像擷取期間（ ΤΙ、T2 )分別都和標準模式時相同，則記錄至記憶媒體 30中的攝像影像資料（靜止影像檔）之數目也會變少。 圖7的流程圖，係回應於之前以圖2說明過之像素數 模式設定所需之操作，而由攝像裝置1所執行的動作程序 。此外，該圖所示的處理，係可視爲身爲控制部18的 CPU所致之依照程式的執行程序而成者。這點在後述的圖 8、圖9之流程圖中也相同。 如之前所說明，藉由對操作部24之所定操作件的操 作，得到了使像素數模式設定畫面顯示之指示，則攝像裝 置1 ( CPU)係如步驟S101所示，會對顯示部23執行使 其顯示像素數模式設定畫面的控制。此外，在藉由該步驟 -29- 1377842 S101而將像素數模式設定畫面首次顯示時，係將游標CR 初期配置在快門機會優先模式選擇區域Ar】、標準模式選 擇區域Ar2、畫質優先模式選擇區域Ar3當中的預定之選 擇區域。在本實施形態中，係使游標CR被初期顯示在標 準模式選擇區域Ar2。 藉由上記步驟SI01而顯示出像素數模式設定畫面的 攝像裝置1，係接著等待藉由步驟S102、S104、S106、 S108、S109而進行用來選擇標準模式的所定操作、用來 選擇快門機會優先模式的所定操作、用來選擇畫質優先模 式的所定操作、決定操作、或用來移進（切換顯示）至其 他選單畫面等的所定操作當中的任一操作。 當選擇標準模式的操作被進行時，則從步驟S1 02前 進至步驟S103，執行對標準模式選擇區域Ar2配置顯示 游標CR所需之處理。 當用來選擇快門機會優先模式的操作被進行時，則從 步驟S1 04前進至步驟S105，執行對快門機會優先模式選 擇區域Arl配置顯示游標CR所需之處理。 當用來選擇畫質優先模式的操作被進行時，則從步驟 S106前進至步驟S1〇7，執行對畫質優先模式選擇區域 Ar3配置顯示游標CR所需之處理。 又’當用來移進至其他選單畫面等的操作被進行時， 則從步驟S109前進至步驟S114，首先，將目前爲止所顯 示的像素數模式設定畫面予以消去，取消該圖所示的處理 後’移進至用來顯示對應於步驟S109所進行之操作而實 -30- 1377842 際指定之選單畫面所需之處理。 然後，當決定操作被進行時，則從步驟S108起，前 進至步驟S110以降的程序。 於步驟S 1 1 0中，係判別於現在（決定操作的探知時 點）上，標準模式、快門機會優先模式、畫質優先模式當 中的哪一像素數模式係被選擇。於像素數模式設定畫面中 ，在對標準模式選擇區域Ar2配置了游標CR的狀態下係 表示標準模式被選擇，在對快門機會優先模式選擇區域 Arl配置了游標CR的狀態下係表示快門機會優先模式被 選擇，在對畫質優先模式Ar 3配置了游標CR的狀態下係 表示畫質優先模式被選擇。 於步驟S110中當判別了標準模式被選擇時，則藉由 步驟S1U，生成表示「標準模式」的像素數模式設定資 訊，對快閃記憶體21進行寫入並記憶之。 又，於步驟S110中當判別了快門機會優先模式被選 擇時，則藉由步驟S112，生成表示「快門機會優先模式 j的像素數模式設定資訊，並記憶至快閃記憶體21中。 又，於步驟S1 08中當判別了畫質優先模式被選擇時 ，則藉由步驟S113，生成表示「畫質優先模式」的像素 數模式設定資訊，並記憶至快閃記憶體21中。 —旦上記步驟Sill、S112、S113的程序完成後，便 前進至步驟S114，將目前爲止所顯示的像素數模式設定 畫面予以消法，移進至所要的其他處理。例如令所要的其 他選單畫面被顯示出來，或者令監視器影像顯示，或是令 -31 - 1377842 記憶媒體30中所記憶之靜止影像檔的再生影像被顯示出 來等。 接著，參照圖8、圖9的流程圖，說明爲了實現漏拍 防止模式之攝影動作，而由攝像裝置1所執行的處理程序 例。 例如，隨應於使用者所做的所定操作，指示要啓動漏 拍防止模式的攝像動作，則攝像裝置1係藉由圖8的步驟 S201，設定成漏拍防止模式而執行攝影動作的啓動處理。 —旦如此而啓動了攝影動作，則攝像裝置1係開始處理， 將影像感測器12進行攝像所得到的攝像訊號，生成爲攝 像影像資料。藉此就可獲得，隨應於快門釋放操作而可將 攝像影像資料記憶至記憶媒體的狀態。 接著，攝像裝置1係藉由步驟S202，參照快閃記憶 體21中所保持的像素數模式設定資訊，藉由步驟S203, 判別該像素數模式設定資訊所示的內容是標準模式、還是 快門機會優先模式、還是畫質優先模式之何者。 於步驟S203中若判別爲標準模式時，則前進至步驟 S2〇4，對控制部18 ( CPU)的暫存器，儲存了對應於標準 模式所設定之像素數Μ加以表示之資料，以作爲表示像素 數之値的資訊。 又，於步驟S2〇3中若判別爲快門機會優先模式時， 則前進至步驟S205，對暫存器，儲存了對應於快門機會 優先模式所設定之像素數N加以表示之資料，以作爲表示 像素數之値的資訊。 -32- 1377842 又，於步驟S203中若判別爲畫質優先模式時，則前 進至步驟S206，對暫存器，儲存了對應於畫質優先模式 所設定之像素數L加以表示之資料，以作爲表示像素數之 値的資訊。 在執行了這些步驟S2 04、S205、S2 06之程序後，進 入圖9的程序。 首先，於圖9的步驟S301中，將作爲之前步驟S204 、S205、S2 06之任一者的執行結果而被儲存在暫存器中 的像素數予以讀出，求出其所對應的影像感測器12之攝 像像素數。然後，將如此所求出的攝像像素數，對影像感 測器進行設定。雖然藉由之前圖8之步驟S201而啓動了 攝影動作，攝像裝置1中的影像感測器12係處於啓動狀 態，但是因執行了上記步驟S3 01，故對該影像感測器12 係設定了，隨應於使用者操作要設定之標準模式、快門機 會優先模式、或畫質優先模式當中之任1者所對應的攝像 像素數。然後，影像感測器12係根據該步驟S301所設定 之攝像像素數，而將攝像所得的攝像訊號加以輸出：在訊 號處理部14中，係生成具有對應於該攝像像素數之像素 數（Μ、N、L之任一者）的攝像影像資料。 步驟S302中，將具有暫存器所儲存之像素數（Μ、N 、或L)時的緩衝區攝像影像資料的最大緩衝區數η’加 以設定。亦即，將記憶體15中爲了保持緩衝區攝像影像 資料而分配之領域（緩衝區攝像影像資料領域）中所保持 的緩衝區攝像影像資料的數目’加以設定。此係藉由’例 >33- 1377842 如’將緩衝區攝像影像資料用領域的容量，除以具有像素 數Μ之攝像影像資料的資料大小，就可獲得。 此外’如之前所述，此處所求出的最大緩衝區數η, 係隨著像素數模式（標準模式、快門機會優先模式、畫質 優先模式）所對應之像素數，而有所不同。又，此外，緩 衝區攝像影像資料領域的容量，是基於例如作爲影像擷取 期間（Τ I、Τ2 )所設定的時間，和像素數所對應的攝像影 像資料的資料大小等，而設定。 於步驟S3 03中係進行，藉由訊號處理部14，將1靜 止影像份的攝像訊號加以擷取以生成攝像影像資料，將其 當成攝像影像資料而寫入至記憶體15之前的處理（寫入 準備）。然後，藉由其後的步驟S304，判別在現在，記 憶體15中所保持的攝像影像資料（緩衝區攝像影像資料 )是否已經到達最大緩衝區數η。若此處得到否定的判別 結果，則記憶體15中的緩衝區攝像影像資料之保持領域 中，尙有空間領域存在，因此藉由步驟S3 05，將之前步 驟S303中所生成的攝像影像資料，當成攝像影像資料而 寫入至在上記空間領域內所指定的位址。亦即，在空間領 域中寫入攝像影像資料而保持之。此係對應於圖3中，最 初將影像訊號資料D(l)〜D(n)當成攝像影像資料而 寫入至記憶體15的動作。 另一方面，於步驟S304中若得到肯定的判別結果， 就無法再繼續將攝像影像資料追加地寫入至記憶體15而 保持。於是，此時，藉由步驟S3 06，對記憶體15中所保 -34- 1377842 持之資料當中最舊的緩衝區攝像影像資料的位址，寫入步 驟S3 04中所生成的攝像影像資料。亦即，是將記憶體15 中所保持的緩衝區攝像影像資料當中的最舊一筆資料，以 最新的攝像影像資料加以覆寫。此係對應於圖3中所說明 ，在攝像影像資料的寫入經過一輪後，影像訊號資料D( n+1)以降的寫入程序。 上記步驟S305、S306的程序之後，藉由步驟S307, 判別快門釋放操作是否有被進行，若得到否定的判別結果 ，則返回至步驟 S3 03的程序。亦即，藉由步驟 S3 03〜 S3 07，一面執行將緩衝區攝像影像資料緩衝至記憶體15 的處理，一面等待快門釋放操作被進行。 然後，一旦快門釋放操作被進行而於步驟S3 07中得 到肯定的判別結果，則執行步驟S308以降的程序。 於步驟S308中係爲，將記憶體15中所保持的緩衝區 攝像影像資料，當成靜止影像檔而寫入至記億媒體30所 需之控制處理。藉此，就進行了前影像的連拍記錄。此外 ，爲了寫入至該記憶媒體30，關於從記憶體15所讀出的 緩衝區攝像影像資料，係會從記憶體15中消除。 接著，攝像裝置1，係藉由步驟S3 09,再度基於訊號 處理部14所輸入來的攝像訊號而生成攝像影像資料，進 行對記億體15的寫入準備》然後，於步驟S310中，判別 記憶體15的緩衝區攝像影像資料領域中所保持的攝像影 像資料（緩衝區攝像影像資料）是否已經到達最大緩衝區 數η。此外，此處由於是以後影像擷取期間T2是和前影 -35- 1377842 像擷取期間T1相同爲前提，因此在步驟S3 10中係只要使 ' 用和步驟S3 04同樣的最大緩衝區數η即可》但是，若後 影像擷取期間Τ2是設定成不同於前影像擷取期間Τ1的時 候，則只要再度求出不同的最大緩衝區數，然後執行步驟 S3 10的程序即可。 當步驟S 3 1 0中得到否定的判別結果時，則於步驟 S311中，將之前步驟S3 09所生成的攝像影像資料，對緩 φ 衝區攝像影像資料領域之空閒位址，進行寫入而保持之。 然後，在此時，被保持在記憶體15之緩衝區攝像影 像資料領域中的緩衝區攝像影像資料，一旦首次到達最大 緩衝區數η，則從步驟S310前進至步驟S312。 步驟S3 12中，將記憶體15中所保持的緩衝區攝像影 像資料，對記憶媒體30進行寫入而記憶之。藉此，就進 行了後影像的連拍記錄。執行了步驟S312的程序後，就 返回至步驟S301 » # 可是’若按照之前圖4〜圖6所說明，於上記圖9所 示的流程圖中係爲，在漏拍防止模式時的攝像影像資料記 錄之際，首先，對應於快門釋放操作時點而將被保持在記 • 憶體15中的身爲前影像的攝像影像資料記錄至記億媒體 30，將記億體15中的攝像影像資料保持用領域變成空閒 狀態，其後，對攝像影像資料保持用領域，依序生成新增 的所定數份的攝像影像資料，然後累積在記憶體15中， 將其當成後影像而進行記錄。亦即，從記憶體15讀出攝 像影像資料然後記錄至記億媒體30的動作，是對應於前 -36- 1377842 影像和後影像而執行了 2次。 此種記錄程序，因爲記億體15中的 持用領域是僅需準備用來保持前影像或後 攝像影像資料所需之容量即可，因此具有 15可以只準備較小容量之優點。 然而，隨著身爲記億體15的記憶體 對記憶體15或記憶媒體30之控制演算法 若如上記般地，對前影像和後影像分別以 體15進行讀出並對記憶媒體30進行記錄 導致後影像的攝像影像資料的生成及寫入 處理之開始時序被延遲。 於是，當希望重點迴避如此問題時， 構成。 亦即，首先，在記憶體15中的攝像 領域’是設定了分別對應於前影像用和後 然後’對應於快門釋放操作時點，此時所 像影像資料’係直接保持在前影像用的攝 用領域中備用，然後立即地，逐次生成後 資料’寫入至後影像用的攝像影像資料保 逐〜保持。然後，在保持了必要數目之後 資料的時序上，將此時被保持在記億體！ 影像的攝像影像資料、和身爲後影像的攝 入至記憶媒體30並記錄之。此種程序，] 流程圖，省略掉步驟S308之程序，藉由g 攝像影像資料保 影像之單方面的 ，例如，記億體 元件之特性，或 等條件的不同， 不同時序從記億 等等，則有可能 至記億體1 5的 則可採用如下的 影像資料保持用 影像用的領域。 得之前影像的攝 像影像資料保持 影像的攝像影像 持用領域而加以 影像的攝像影像 5中的，身爲前 像影像資料，寫 系對應於圖8的 专驟S3 12，將作 -37- 1377842 爲緩衝區攝像影像資料的前影像及後影像的攝像影像資料 ，一次寫入至記憶媒體30。 又，本案發明係除了上記的前影像及後影像之記錄時 序以外，並無被限定於目前爲止所說明的實施形態之構成 〇 例如，目前爲止的說明當中，雖然影像擷取期間（τ 1 、T2)的時間長，在像素數模式間大致設成相同而進行說 明，但這是以影像擷取期間大致一定爲條件，爲了便於理 解在該期間內所能取得之攝像影像資料數，是隨著像素數 (處理時間）而改變，而做的假設。 因此，在本案發明之下，關於影像擷取期間（ΤΙ、T2 )，係亦可在像素數模式間適宜設定不同之適切時間》例 如，於快門機會優先模式中，若將影像擷取期間（ΤΙ、T2 )之至少任一方，設成較標準模式時更爲縮短，則藉由快 門機會優先模式而被連拍記錄在記憶媒體30中的攝像影 像資料（靜止影像檔）的總大小，係會少於標準模式時的 大小，這所換來的是，可節約記憶媒體30之可記憶容量 ，做有效的使用》 甚至，在上記實施形態中，雖然1個像素數模式下的 攝影記錄動作，關於前影像擷取期間T1和後影像擷取期 間T2是設定成大致相同時間，但是這些期間亦可設定成 各自互異的時間。 又，於上記實施形態中，雖然標準以外的模式，是各 設有1個快門機會優先模式和畫質優先模式，但亦可將這 -38- 1377842 些快門機會優先模式與畫質優先模式之至少一方的模式更 加予以細分化，而可成爲相對於標準而設定複數種不同之 像素數。 又，於漏拍防止模式中，用來設定連拍間隔的使用者 介面等，係亦可採用圖2說明內容以外的構成。 例如，於圖2中，雖然對於每一所欲設定之連拍間隔 (亦即像素數）標示模式名稱而成爲主體並顯示在選擇區 域中，但亦可考慮取代之，改成顯示所欲設定之像素數、 讓使用者做選擇之使用者介面。 又，在申請當時的本案發明的槪念之下，作爲漏拍防 止模式的攝影記錄動作，係以至少對應於快門釋放操作時 序而以相同於通常模式之時序，將所生成的攝像影像資料 加以記錄，然後針對後影像擷取期間Τ2所做的攝影記錄 動作，係不加以執行。或者，亦可構成爲，對於前影像擷 取期間Τ 1的攝影記錄動作，係不加以執行。無論採用何 種構成，若相較於僅藉由通常模式而隨應於快門釋放操作 時序記錄下1張攝像影像的情況，都可達到防止漏拍的效 果，因此，拿來當作本案發明之構成加以適用，都不會有 任何不妥。 又，目前爲止所說明的，攝像裝置1是以將攝像影像 變成靜止影像而加以記錄的數位靜態相機來說明，但例如 原本就將拍攝到的動畫以數位訊號方式加以記錄的視訊錄 影裝置中，也具有和數位靜態相機同等之靜止影像記錄機 能，這是大家所熟知。本案發明的構成，亦可適用於實裝 -39 * 1377842 在此種視訊錄影裝置等的靜止影像記錄機能上。甚至，除 了這些攝像裝置外，例如行動電話、其他終端裝置上附加 攝像機能的各種電子機器，都可適用本發明。 又，如圖7〜圖9的流程圖所示，漏拍防止模式下的 連拍間隔設定之相關處理，及用來實現漏拍防止模式之攝 影記錄動作所需之處理，實際上亦可因應需要而做適宜變 更。 φ 作爲一個例子，於圖8、圖9中，是在求出了緩衝區 攝像影像資料的最大緩衝區數後，根據是否到達最大緩衝 區數之條件，來判定是否可對記憶體15的緩衝區攝像影 像資料領域的空間領域進行記錄，但是，例如，亦可改成 比較緩衝區攝像影像資料領域的空間容量，和現在將要寫 入之攝像影像資料的大小。 又，若依據圖8、圖9，則即使於後影像擷取期間T2 中，也是將時點tl以降所生成的攝像影像資料B(l)〜 • B ( η)，一度被保持在記憶體15中然後才寫入至記憶媒 體30，但若可能的話，亦可不使其被傳輸至記憶體15, 而是直接將攝像影像資料B(l)〜Β(η)對編碼/解碼部 • 16依序傳輸而執行對記憶媒體30的記錄。 又，如前述，圖7〜圖9各圖中流程圖所示的程序例 子，雖然可視爲是由身爲控制部18的CPU來執行程式所 得之結果，但此種程式，例如若爲圖1之構成，則可在製 造階段中，預先記憶至ROM19或快閃記憶體21等。又， 例如可將程式記憶至封裝媒體、外部記憶裝置、或網路上 -40- 1377842 的伺服器等，從這些媒體（記憶媒體）或裝置來加以取得 並安裝，或者可以升級方式來取得，這類構成皆可考慮採 用。 【圖式簡單說明】 〔圖1〕作爲本發明的實施形態的攝像裝置之構成例 的區塊圖。 φ 〔圖2〕實施形態之漏拍防止模式下的像素數模式選 擇設定所用的操作畫面的樣態例圖示。 〔圖3〕實施形態之漏拍防止模式時的攝影動作中， 快門釋放操作前的訊號處理動作的模式性圖示。 〔圖4〕實施形態之漏拍防止模式時的標準模式之攝 影記錄動作例的模式性圖示。 〔圖5〕實施形態之漏拍防止模式時的快門機會優先 模式之攝影記錄動作例的模式性圖示。 # 〔圖6〕實施形態之漏拍防止模式時的畫質優先模式 之攝影記錄動作例的模式性圖示。 〔圖7〕隨應於像素數模式選擇設定所需之操作，攝 - 像裝置1的處理動作例之圖示。 〔圖8〕用來實現漏拍防止模式下之攝影動作所需之 處理程序的流程圖。 〔圖9〕接續圖8，用來實現漏拍防止模式下之攝影 動作所需之處理程序的流程圖。 -41 - 1377842 【主要元件符號說明】 ' 1 :攝像裝置 1 1 :光學系部 1 2 :影像感測器 13 : A/D轉換器 14 :訊號處理部 1 5 :記憶體 • 16 :編碼/解碼部 1 7 :媒體控制器[Technical Field] The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus capable of recording image information obtained by imaging as a still image to a memory medium, and is applicable to the image pickup apparatus A camera signal processing method is also a program executed by such an image pickup device. [Prior Art] In recent years, for example, a digital still camera is representative, and still image data obtained from a captured image is written to a memory medium. An imaging device that can record photos by this is widely used. However, when such a photo is taken, generally, when the subject is in motion, the user thinks that he is very The shutter (shutter release) operation is performed on a good timing, and the actual recorded photo image is unable to capture the expected picture due to the timing deviation. This is not uncommon. One of the main reasons is that people are It takes a while for a certain thing to be aware of it and then react to it. It covers human physiology. Therefore, as long as the imaging device is operated by a human being, the occurrence of a so-called missed shot accompanying the timing shift of the shutter release operation is unavoidable. Therefore, as an image pickup device such as a digital still camera, it has been proposed. According to Patent Documents 1 and 2, at least a predetermined number of images captured in sequence before the shutter release operation timing are recorded, thereby preventing such a missed shot. This type of leak prevention function requires a shutter. Before the release operation, the camera image -4- I3778'42 is recorded. It must be used when the shutter release operation is not performed, and the still image data obtained based on the camera must be kept in the number of sheets. Then, in response to the shutter release operation being performed, the still image data held in the memory is recorded, and the recorded still image data, that is, the photo, is close to the user's desire. The possibility of shooting the content is higher, so that it is possible to remedy the expected photo due to the bias of the shutter timing. [Patent Document 1] Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. Hei No. Hei. No. Hei. No. Hei. No. Hei. No. Hei. No. Hei. No. Hei. No. Hei. No. Hei. Therefore, the purpose is to provide more convenience to the user, and to provide a more useful technique for preventing camera shooting. [Means for solving the problem] Therefore, the present invention considers the problem The camera device is designed as follows: .. that is, the camera signal acquisition means converts the incident image light into an electronic signal to obtain an image signal; and the data generation means is equivalent The image signals of one still image unit are sequentially input, and the image data of the image having the image of one still image is sequentially and successively generated one by one; and the recording control means is used to refer to -5 - 1377842 i indicates when the shutter release operation of recording the obtained captured image data to the memory medium is performed corresponding to the operation timing thereof And let the video image data be recorded in billions of media, and the predetermined number of captured image data obtained in the previous period of the shutter release operation is performed, or the timing of the shutter release operation is performed. At least one of the predetermined number of captured image data obtained by the sequence is written to the memory medium for storage; and the operation means is performed when the captured image data is visually formed by the two-dimensional collection of pixels. The operation of changing the setting of the number of pixels of the captured image data: and the pixel number setting control means are controlled so that the image of the image to be recorded by the recording control means can be obtained by operating the operation means The result of the specified number of pixels. Further, the image pickup signal processing method is configured as follows. That is, the image processing is performed by: converting the incident image light into an electronic signal to obtain an image signal; and the data generation program by accommodating the image signal equivalent to one still image unit. Sequence input, and the captured image data having the content of the image as one still image is sequentially generated one by one in sequence; and the recording control program is adapted to indicate that the obtained image is to be corresponding to the operation timing thereof The image data is recorded to the timing at which the shutter release operation of the memory medium is performed, and the captured image data is recorded to the memory medium, and the fixed number of images sequentially obtained during the previous period in which the shutter release operation is performed is performed. At least one of the fixed number of captured image data sequentially obtained after the image data or the shutter release operation is sequentially written to the memory medium and added -6 - 1377842 4 to memorize; and setting the information retention program In accordance with the operation of the operation means, the setting information representing the content of the changed number of pixels is added. Keeping, the operation means is designed to perform an operation corresponding to changing the number of pixels of the captured image data when the captured image data is visually formed by the two-dimensional collection of pixels; and setting the number of pixels The control program is controlled so that the result of the number of pixels indicated by the setting information can be obtained for the captured image data to be recorded by the control program. In other words, the image capturing device executes the data generating program, which is an image capturing signal obtaining means for obtaining an image capturing signal by converting the incident image light into an electronic signal, and by recording the upper recording signal corresponding to one still image unit. In sequence, the image data having the image content as one still image is sequentially generated one by one in sequence; and the recording control program is adapted to indicate that it is necessary to correspond to the operation timing thereof. The captured image data is recorded to the timing at which the shutter release operation of the memory medium is performed, and the captured image data is memorized to the memory medium, and the predetermined number of images sequentially obtained during the previous period in which the shutter release operation is performed is performed. At least one of the fixed number of captured image data sequentially obtained after the image data or the shutter release operation is sequentially written is recorded in the memory of the recording medium; and the setting information holding program is adapted to the operation The operation of the means, which will represent the setting information of the content of the changed number of pixels. The operation means is designed such that when the captured image data is visually formed by the two-dimensional collection of pixels, the operation of 1377842 i is equivalent to the operation of changing the number of pixels of the captured image data; and the pixel The number setting control program controls the result of the number of pixels indicated by the setting information for the captured image data to be recorded by the control program. [Invention Effect] If so designed, the present invention is The leak detection prevention function can be supported, for example, when the user pays attention to high image quality, and wants to reduce the possibility of missed shots. Therefore, for example, in the case where the number of pixels of the captured image is set to be fixed, the user is given an option between the high image priority and the missed shot prevention effect, so that it is more useful. Leakage prevention prevents malfunction. [Embodiment] Hereinafter, a best mode for carrying out the invention of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as an embodiment) will be described. This embodiment is an example in which the configuration according to the present invention is applied to an image pickup apparatus belonging to a digital still camera. FIG. 1 is a view showing an example of the configuration of the imaging device 1 of the present embodiment. As will be understood from the following description, the basic function of the image pickup apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is to obtain a signal by signalizing the image light obtained by the image pickup. Then, the image signal processing is performed on the signal to obtain the image signal data of the still image, that is, the captured image, and then the captured image data is recorded to the recording medium, and can be displayed as an image 0-8 by the display unit 23. In the configuration shown in FIG. 1 , the optical system unit 11 includes, for example, an imaging lens group including a zoom lens, a focus lens, and the like, a diaphragm, and the like, and the incident light is regarded as The light is imaged to be imaged on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 12. Further, the optical system unit 11 further includes a drive mechanism unit for driving a zoom lens, a focus lens, a diaphragm, and the like. These drive mechanisms are controlled by, for example, general camera control such as zoom control, automatic focus adjustment control, and automatic exposure control executed by the control unit 18. The image sensor 12 converts the image pickup light obtained by the optical system 11 described above into an electronic signal, and performs so-called photoelectric conversion. Therefore, the image sensor 12 receives the image pickup light from the optical system portion π on the light receiving surface of the photoelectric conversion element, and outputs the signal charge accumulated in accordance with the light intensity of the received light in a predetermined timing. . Thereby, an electronic signal (image pickup signal) corresponding to the image pickup light is output. In addition, the photoelectric conversion element (imaging element) used as the image sensor is not particularly limited, but in the present invention, for example, a CMOS sensor or a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) may be used. Further, when a CMOS sensor is used, a device (part) equivalent to the image sensor 12 may be a composition of an analog-digital converter including an A/D converter 13 equivalent to that described below. The image pickup signal output from the image sensor 12 is input to the A/D converter 13', thereby being converted into a digital signal, and input to the signal processing unit 14. -9- 1377842 4 The signal processing unit 14 extracts the digital image signal output from the A/D converter 13 for, for example, a unit corresponding to one still image (frame image). The signal processing required for the image signal of the still image unit thus captured is generated, and the image signal data corresponding to one still image is generated, that is, the captured image data. The image data thus generated can be written, for example, as needed, and kept in reserve. # Recording the video image data generated in the signal processing unit 14 as the image data corresponding to the photo and recording it in the media 100, for example, a video image corresponding to one still image The data is output from the signal processing unit 14 to the encoding/decoding unit 16 and the encoding/decoding unit 16 compresses and encodes the captured image data of the still image unit output from the signal processing unit 14 by the predetermined still image. After the compression encoding is performed, for example, a header or the like is added in accordance with the control of the control unit 18, and converted into a ♦ format of a compressed still image file of a predetermined format. The compressed still image file thus generated is then transmitted to the media controller 17. The media controller 17 writes and compresses the compressed still video file data transmitted to the cell 100 in accordance with the control of the control unit 18. In addition, the memory medium 30 is actually a small removable medium composed of, for example, a flash memory or a memory, and is used by mounting a slot for the memory medium 30 provided in the image pickup apparatus 1. . Further, in the image pickup apparatus 1, the image data obtained by the signal processing unit 14 can be used to display the image on the display unit 23, whereby the image in the image, that is, the so-called monitor image can be displayed. E.g. 1377842 < In the signal processing unit 14, as described above, the image pickup signal output from the A/D converter 13 is extracted to generate image data equivalent to one still image, but by continuing the operation, The camera image data equivalent to the frame image in the animation can be sequentially generated one by one. Then, the video image data sequentially generated as described above is transmitted to the display driver 22 in accordance with the control of the control unit 18. The display driver 22 generates a drive signal for driving the display unit 23 based on the captured image data input from the signal processing unit 14 as described above, and outputs the drive signal to the display unit 23. Thereby, on the display unit 23, the images of the captured image data based on the still image unit are sequentially displayed. As long as the user observes it, the image "photographed at this time" is dynamically displayed on the display unit 23. That is, the monitor image is displayed. Further, the image pickup apparatus 1 can reproduce the still image file stored in the memory medium 30, and display the image on the display unit 23. To this end, the control unit 18 specifies a specific still image file, and then instructs the media controller 17 to read data from the memory medium 30. In response to the command, the media controller 17 accesses the address on the memory medium 30 in which the designated still image file is stored, performs data reading, and reads the read data to the encoding/decoding unit 16 Transfer. The encoding/decoding unit 1 6 extracts, from the data of the still image data transmitted from the media controller 17, the physical data of the compressed still image data, for the compressed still image data, for example, under the control of the control unit 18. 'Execute the decoding process relative to compression encoding, get corresponding to -11 - 1377842 < i Camera image data of still images. Then, the captured image data is transmitted to the display driver 22. Thereby, an image of the still image file stored in the memory medium 30 is displayed on the display unit 23. Further, the display unit 23' can display a user interface image as a GUI function in addition to the monitor image or the reproduced image of the still image file. In this case, for example, in response to the operation state at this time, the control unit 18 generates display image data for the necessary user interface image and outputs it to the display driver 22. Thereby, the user interface image is displayed on the display unit 23. In addition, the user interface image can be, for example, a specific menu screen, and the reproduced image system of the monitor image or the still image file can be displayed on the display screen of the display unit 23 individually, on the monitor image or at rest. A part of the reproduced image of the image file is superimposed and synthesized for display. The control unit 18 is configured to include, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and constitutes a microcomputer together with the ROM 19 and the RAM 20. In the ROM 19, for example, in addition to the program executed by the CPU of the control unit 18, various setting information and the like associated with the operation of the image pickup apparatus 1 are memorized. The RAM 20 is a main memory device for the CPU. In addition, the flash memory 2 1 at this time is used for various types of setting information such as the necessity of changing the user's operation or the operation history, and the like, and the non-volatile memory area is set. . If a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory is used as the ROM 1 9', it can also replace the flash memory board 21, and use a part of the ROM 19 to record the field. -12- 1377842 4 The operation unit 24 includes various operation members provided in the imaging device 1, and operation information signal output portions that are operated by the operation members to generate operation information signals and output to the CPU. The control unit 18 executes the predetermined processing in accordance with the operation information signal input from the operation unit 24. Thereby, the action of the image pickup apparatus 1 corresponding to the user's operation is executed. Here, as the operation member provided in the operation unit 24, the shutter key 24a is particularly illustrated. The shutter button 24a is a trigger for inputting a photographic record, and has a configuration such as a pushable operation. Then, the operation of the shutter button 24a is well known, for example, a half-press state operation (referred to herein as a focus adjustment operation), and an automatic focus control action is performed, at which time the captured subject will be photographed. The subject is focused and the focus is automatically adjusted (focus lens drive). Then, by performing a pressing operation from the half-pressed state and performing an operation of completely pressing the shutter button 24a (referred to herein as a shutter release operation), recording of the captured image is performed. That is, as described earlier, the still image file (the camera image data is its actual data) based on the image pickup signal is memorized to the memory medium 30. In the imaging device 1 of the present embodiment configured as described above, the imaging recording operation for recording the captured image (still image file) to the memory medium 30 is first assumed to record the captured image corresponding to the normal photo shooting. Photographing due to the usual photography mode is possible. In the normal shooting mode, corresponding to the fact that the shutter release operation is performed on the shutter button 24a, one captured image obtained by capturing the shutter release operation, that is, one image of the still image portion is captured. It is recorded as one still image file and recorded on the memory medium 30. Further, in the present embodiment, the photographing and recording operation is performed as a photographing and recording operation. The missed shooting prevention shooting mode can also be understood from the following description, as the shutter release operation is performed, and as a result, the timing at which the shutter release operation is performed is taken as a starting point, and a certain period of time is passed back to the past. A plurality of still images (still image files) captured during continuous shooting during the period up to the time point, and continuous shooting during the period from when the shutter release operation is performed to when the time has elapsed for a certain period of time The still images (still image files) of the plurality of images that are obtained are memorized into the memory medium 30. In addition, the so-called continuous shooting refers to an operation in which a captured image (still image file) sequentially photographed sequentially at a certain time interval is recorded on the memory medium, and the result is automatically obtained by the image pickup apparatus 1 . The normal shooting mode of the former is the general photographic recording action that has been used on digital still cameras so far. However, the photographic recording action of this normal shooting mode is as described above, and the actual shutter should be matched. It is very difficult to release the operation timing and obtain a camera image of the user's intended timing. That is, the possibility that the screen of the time that the user wants to shoot is missed is relatively high. The main reason, the first one, is as explained before, and there is a time difference between when a person is conscious of something and then reacts to it. That is, even if the user thinks that this is a shutter opportunity and the shutter release operation is immediately performed, a certain degree of delay occurs in the timing at which the shutter button 24a of the shutter release operation is completely pressed. Moreover, especially in a digital image machine such as a digital still camera, the signal transmission speed from the camera-14-1377842 component, and the time required for the digital signal processing are also the shutter release operation timing and the desired image of the user. The main reason for the bias between timings. Therefore, if the photographing mode is prevented by the miss photographing so that the photographed images successively photographed during a certain period of time before and after the shutter release operation are recorded to the memory medium 30, among the recorded photographed images, there are The possibility of a camera image of the content captured by the user at the same or substantially similar timing is very high. That is, it is possible to prevent the leakage of the screen of the timing which the user wants to photograph as described above. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the number of pixels that should be included in the captured image data that is continuously recorded in accordance with the setting operation of the user in the missed shooting prevention shooting mode is, for example, a predetermined standard.値 is the benchmark and can be changed. In addition, the number of pixels referred to herein refers to image data corresponding to one still image, and is formed as a pixel data of a plurality of pieces of pixel data, and actually forms pixel data of the image data. The number is generally determined by multiplication of the number of pixel data in the horizontal direction and the number of pixel data in the vertical direction. Then, the number of pixels can be synonymously corresponded to the image sensor, for example, if the pixel number conversion processing by the drawing, interpolation, or the like of the pixel data without editing and processing is performed in the signal processing stage. The number of pixels (number of imaging pixels) of the light receiving unit used for taking out the effective image pickup signal in 12. Then, in the missed shot prevention mode of the present embodiment, the number of pixels of the captured image -15-1377842 data is changed, and the "standard mode", "shutter shutter priority mode", and "image quality priority mode" are provided. 3 modes for the number of pixels (pixel number mode). Then, the user can select any one of the three modes to change the number of pixels. The "standard mode" is an operation mode in which the captured image data having the number of pixels (standard number of pixels) set in advance as the standard number of pixels is subjected to continuous shooting in the missed shot prevention mode. • "Shutter-Priority Priority Mode"* is an operation mode in which the captured image data having a predetermined number of pixels smaller than the standard number of pixels is recorded in the omission preventing mode. The "image quality priority mode" is an operation mode in which the captured image data having more than the predetermined number of pixels of the standard pixel number is recorded in the missed shot prevention mode. As is well known, the larger the number of pixels of the captured image data, the higher the resolution, and the higher the image quality at the fineness. However, as the size of the data increases, the burden of signal processing becomes heavier, for example, the time required to process one image becomes longer. Then, as will be described later, the signal processing time of each of the captured image data is corresponding to the continuous shooting operation in which the one-shot recording data is recorded until the next captured image data is recorded.  The time, that is, the continuous shooting interval. The shorter the continuous shooting interval, the more images that can be taken per unit time, and the lower the probability of a missed shot. That is, in the missed shot prevention mode of the present embodiment, the image quality and the continuous shooting interval corresponding to the number of pixels of the captured image data are a trade-off relationship. The standard number of pixels corresponding to the standard mode is in the omission prevention mode -16 - 1377842, so that the balance between the above picture quality and the continuous shooting interval is optimal, and the number of pixels obtained is determined. Therefore, for example, when the user performs photography in the missed shot prevention mode, if the standard mode is set, an image captured at the optimum image quality and continuous shooting interval can be obtained. In contrast, in the shutter priority mode, a predetermined number of pixels smaller than the standard number of pixels is set. The reduction in the number of pixels means that the picture quality is not as good as the standard mode, but the continuous shooting interval is shortened, and the number of images that can be taken per unit time is increased, so the possibility of missed shots, that is, the possibility of a shutter opportunity being missed, It is more degraded than the standard mode. For example, when shooting a very fast moving subject, the user can sacrifice the image quality to some extent, but when trying to avoid the missed shot, the shutter priority mode can be set. Further, in the "image quality priority mode", since the number of pixels is set to be larger than the standard mode, the continuous shooting interval becomes long, but the image quality of the image recorded by the image is better than the standard mode. Therefore, when the user photographs, for example, a subject that is moving but not so fast, even if a certain degree of missed shot is retained but the image quality is desired to be prioritized, the user can be set to "quality priority". mode". Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen required for the user to select the pixel number mode, i.e., a display mode of the pixel number mode setting screen. For example, when the user operates a predetermined operation member included in the operation unit 24 of the image pickup apparatus 1 and calls the pixel number mode setting screen of the -17-1377842 single screen for setting the leak detection mode, the figure is displayed. The pixel number mode setting screen shown in 2 is displayed on the display screen portion 23A of the display unit 23. In the pixel number mode setting screen, the shutter priority mode selection area Arl, the standard mode selection area Ar2, and the image quality priority mode selection area Ar3 are arranged and displayed, and the cursor CR is arranged in any of these selection areas. # The above cursor CR is moved between the three selection areas in response to the user's operation on the specified operation unit. The cursor CR is arranged to be emphasized, and the mode indicated by the selection area on the display side represents the mode selected by the user. Then, the user is in the shutter priority mode selection area Arl, the standard mode selection area ΑΓ2, and the image quality. In the priority mode selection area Ar3, the cursor CR is placed in the selection area corresponding to the mode that the user wants to set, and the predetermined operation required for the selection determination is performed. By this, on the image pickup apparatus 1, the continuous shooting interval in the omission preventing mode is set to any of the shutter priority mode, the standard mode, and the image quality priority mode. The setting contents of the pixel number mode in the missed shot prevention mode determined as described above are stored in the flash memory 21 as the pixel number mode setting. The pixel number mode setting information indicates that the pixel number mode is information set to the standard mode, the shutter priority mode, and the image priority mode each time the shooting operation in the missed shooting prevention mode is executed. Next, the operation of the missed shot prevention mode of the present embodiment will be described. -18- 1377842 First, when the image capturing mode is entered in the state in which the slap prevention mode is set, the image pickup apparatus 1 is not related to which mode the pixel number mode is set to, before the shutter release operation is performed, The captured image data of the captured image captured during the period from the current point to the certain period of time is held in the memory 15 in a regular manner (pre-image securing operation). The image data to be held in the icon 15 can be understood from the operation description described later, and is obtained as a still image file stored in the memory medium 30 as a video recorded by continuous shooting. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a signal processing procedure for recording a pre-image securing operation on a schematic diagram. When the image capture mode is activated in the state where the leak prevention mode has been set, the signal processing unit 14 extracts the digital image signal output from the image sensor 12 through the A/D converter U, in order. Camera image data equivalent to one still image is generated one by one. Then, the image data thus generated is written and held for the field of the image-capturing image data of a predetermined capacity set in the memory 15. In addition, the captured image data corresponding to one still image (imaging image) held in the memory unit 15 is held (buffered) in the memory 15, so it is also called a buffer image data. . Here, when the imaging operation by the missed shot prevention mode is activated, first, the signal processing unit 14 writes the first generated captured image data D(1) to the memory 15. Thereby, first, the captured image data 1 is held in the memory 15. Next, the signal processing unit 14 sequentially writes the captured image data D(2), D(3), ..., and writes them one by one to the memory 15 one by one. Show, such as buffer video image data 1'. . . . . . . . In the Jiyi body 15, the buffer image data is accumulated one by one from the old to the new, once at a certain time, accumulating to the nth buffer image data η, then at this time, the memory 15 In the field of buffer image data, it becomes a state in which the space area of the next buffer image data is not maintained. When the state is changed to the above state, the signal processing unit 14 overwrites the captured image data D(n+1) corresponding to the subsequent n+1th sheet into the buffer image data 1 that has been used as the buffer in the memory 15. On the held image data D(l), writing to the memory 15 is performed. Thereby, the entity of the buffer image data 1 on the memory 15 changes from the captured image data D(l) to the captured image data D(n+〇. Then, after that, the n+2th sheet is lowered to the first 2n sheets of camera image data D(n + 2) and D(n+3)~D(2n) are written as buffer image data 2~η as shown in the figure. The held image data D(2)~D(n) are overwritten and written one by one. Then, the image data D(2η+1), D(2n+2)... The same procedure is written up, and the captured image data of the buffer image data 〗 2, 2... is overwritten, and the writing to the memory 15 is performed one by one. That is, the buffer image in the memory 15 is captured. The image data is just kept in the state of the maximum possible number η. The new camera image data is overwritten in the buffer image data kept by the Jiuyi 15 and the most past camera image data is overwritten. The way it is deleted, while writing one by -20-1377842. As a result, in this implementation In the image pickup apparatus 1 of the state, when the image capture operation is started and the image capture operation is started, the memory 15 is continuously shot from the current point to the time point of the past time point of a certain period of time. The latest captured image data of η copies is kept in standby (except for the holding period of the first captured image data 1 to η). Next, the operation of the standard mode in the missed shot prevention mode will be described with reference to Fig. 4 . In Fig. 4, the captured image data A(l)~Α(η) and the captured image data B(l)~B(m) are shown. These image data are corresponding to the timing of time t1. The shutter release operation is performed as a still image file in the memory medium 30. In the figure, the respective video image data is generated by the signal processing unit 14 and written to the time series. As shown in FIG. 3, when the imaging operation is started in the missed shooting prevention mode, the latest copies of a predetermined n pieces of captured image data are frequently held one by one. In memory 15 The latest video image data is shown in FIG. 4, and the n images generated during the pre-image capturing period T1 during the period from the shutter release operation at the time point t1 to the time point t0. The image data Α(ι) to A(n) e, for example, during a certain period of time from the processing time Tpr from the time point t0, 'the image signal output from the image sensor 1 side is captured to be generated as a camera. The image data of the image data A(l) is processed and written into the memory 15 by the line -1 - 1377842, and the image data A is generated by the processing time Tpr of approximately the same time interval. The processing of writing to the memory 15 by the captured image data of ~A(n). Therefore, in the case of this figure, the image data A(1)~A(n) belonging to the front image data are sequentially in the order of the image data A(l), A(2)...A(n). Become a new material that is closer to the current point. Further, the above-mentioned captured image data A(l) to A(n) are assumed to have a pixel number Μ. The number of pixels Μ is set corresponding to the standard mode. Then, here, it is assumed that the shutter release operation is performed at the timing of the time point t1. In response to this operation, on the imaging device, first, at the instant of the shutter release operation timing, the captured image data held in the memory frame 5, that is, the captured image data A shown in FIG. 4 is used. When the signal processing unit 15 reads the data, the memory medium 30 is sequentially written as a still image file and memorized one by one. In this way, the first image will be recorded first. Further, in the image pickup apparatus 1, the shutter release operation is performed at the time point t1, and the image pickup image data, that is, the image pickup image data B is generated one by one by the signal processing unit 4 based on the image signal obtained immediately. ), B(2)... Here, the number of pixels of the captured image data B(l), B(2), ... thus generated directly inherits the number of pixels of the captured image data generated before the time point t1. That is, 'video image data', B (2).  ·· also has a standard number of pixels Μ. Then, the shutter release operation timing is also from the time point 11 to the period from the time point t2 of a certain time period of -22 to 1377842, that is, the n pieces of the captured image data B(l) acquired in the rear image capturing period T2. ~Β(η) is recorded one by one for the memory medium 30 as a still image file. These image-capturing image materials B(l) to Β(η) are post-images that are memorized in the memory medium 30. Here, as the front image capturing period Τ1 and the rear image capturing period Τ2, it is considered that the missed shot preventing effect must be effective, and the appropriate length of time is set. That is, if these image capturing periods (ΤΙ, Τ 2) are too short, only the image of the image immediately before the shutter release operation is obtained. Therefore, the captured image at a later timing is missed. Moreover, if these image capturing periods (ΤΙ, Τ 2) are too long, the memory 15 retains too many images of the past time to the past time, and since it is memorized to the memory medium 30, For example, it is not preferable to use the capacity of the memory 15 or the memory medium 30 for useless video images. The time during the image capture period (ΤΙ, Τ 2) is set so that these undesirable conditions do not occur. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the front image capturing period Τ1 and the back image capturing period Τ2 are set to be the same length of time. Therefore, the front image (the captured image data Α(1) to Α(η))' and the rear image (the captured image data B(l) to Β(η)) which are memorized in the memory medium 30 are the same. Next, the operation of the shutter priority mode in the missed shot prevention mode will be described with reference to FIG. 5. In the shutter priority mode, the image data A(l) to Α(η)' of the front image is the body image. The image data of the rear image β -23 - 1377842 (1) to B (n) are generated as a result of having a predetermined number N of pixels corresponding to the number of pixels corresponding to the standard mode. In the present embodiment, the image sensor 12 is set to have a certain number of pixels, and the image sensor 12 sets the number of image pickup pixels corresponding to the number of pixels of the image data to be read and then performs image pickup. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the captured image data A(l)~A(n), B(l)~B(n) will have the result of the pixel number '', and the image sensor 12 is set corresponding to the pixel. The number of video images of several digits is caused: as shown in the figure, the image data A(l)~Α(η) and Β(1)~Β(η) will have the result of the number of pixels, which is the sense of image. The detector 12 is set to correspond to the number of video images of the number of pixels Ν. Then, when the number of different video images is set to the image sensor 12, the captured image data as the captured image data A(1) to Α(η), Β(1) to Β(η) are generated and written to the memory. The processing time Tpr up to the volume 〖5 will also differ. In other words, when the captured image data is generated and written to the memory 15, first, an image signal of a still picture (one picture) is output from the image sensor 12 via the A/D converter 13, and the signal is output. The processing unit 14 captures it, but the time required for the capture is increased slightly proportional to the number of captured images set by the image sensor 12. In the configuration of the image sensor 12, the speed at which the pixel unit signal is transmitted is based on, for example, a transmission clock, and therefore is constant irrespective of the image pickup element. Moreover, the processing time required to generate the captured image data based on the image pickup signal captured by the signal processing unit 14 and the slave image processing unit 14 required to hold the generated captured image data in the memory 15 are required. The time of transmission to the memory 15 also becomes longer as the number of imaging pixels set by the image sensor increases. The larger the number of imaging pixels, the larger the size of the data as the captured image data. Therefore, in the case where the shutter priority mode of FIG. 5 is set, the number of pixels when the captured image data A(1) to A(n), B〇) to B(n) are set to be smaller than the standard mode is set. The number of pixels of the Μ can make the processing time Tpr required for each of the captured image data A(l)~Α(η), Β(1)~Β(η)# shorter than in the standard mode. Here, the shortening of the processing time Tpr means that, for example, if the captured image data A(1) to A(n) 'B(l) to B(n) are regarded as the result of continuous shooting, by continuous shooting The time interval (continuous shooting interval) until the next captured image is obtained can be shortened. Moreover, this also means that the number of video images obtained by continuous shooting increases per unit time. Then, by shortening the continuous shooting interval in this way, the possibility of a missed shot at the timing before the shutter release operation can be made lower than the standard mode. • In addition, here, the front image capturing period T1 and the rear image capturing period T2, which are the shutter priority mode, are the same as those in the standard mode of Fig. 4. However, strictly speaking, the standard mode and the shutter opportunity excellent mode are different in the processing time Tpr of each camera image data.  So sometimes it's not exactly the same. In addition, for the sake of confirmation, when the image capturing period (τι, T2) is set to be substantially the same, 'the processing time Tpr becomes shorter' compared to the case of the standard mode. The number of camera images held in the body 15 is large. In the 'memory' 5-25- 1377842, the total capacity of the captured image data of η sheets is also the same in the standard mode and the shutter priority mode if the image capturing periods (Τ 1, Τ 2 ) are substantially the same. It will be almost the same. In the specific example of the embodiment, it is considered that the number of pixels of the captured image data corresponding to the standard mode is set to 8 million (8 inches), and the front image capturing period Τ1 and the rear image capturing period Τ2 are respectively set. Hey.  5 seconds. At this time, in the standard mode, in the front image capturing period Τ1 and the rear image capturing period Τ2, about 7 to 8 images of the front image (photographic image data) can be obtained. Also, the number of pixels of the captured image data corresponding to the shutter priority mode is set to 2 million (2 inches). In addition, the above description also shows that the pre-image capture period Τ1 and the post-image capture period Τ2 are set to be about the same as the standard mode. 5 seconds. For example, the processing time Tpr required to obtain camera image data is roughly proportional to that. Since the number of pixels of the captured image data is generated, the processing time Tpr in the shutter priority mode is about 1/4 of that in the standard mode. Therefore, in the shutter priority mode, the number of captured image data obtained in the front image capturing period T1 is about 30 sheets. By the way, in the relationship with the standard mode, the shutter priority mode shown in FIG. 5 shortens the continuous shooting interval (equivalent to the processing time Tpr) for the purpose of reducing the leakage rate, so that it can be said that it has been adopted. About the camera image data is a method to reduce the number of pixels. As another method for shortening the continuous shooting interval for the front image, it is also conceivable, for example, to disclose the method disclosed in Patent Document 1 (in particular, referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4), and the change is used to determine the writing timing to the memory -26-1377842. The composition of the write pulse period (frequency). In the case of the method, the continuous shooting interval can be shortened, for example, under the condition that the number of pixels of the captured image data is constant. However, the total number of pixels of the image pickup device (image sensor) owned by the current digital camera device, The 10 megapixel product has become popular, which has also increased dramatically from a few years ago. Therefore, the processing time when one camera image data is generated on the image pickup device and written to the screen is significantly longer than before. In this regard, the signal processing speed of the component or the like for generating the image data in the image pickup apparatus is not inferior to the pixel growth in terms of technology and cost, and is currently the reality. Therefore, in the current situation, the processing time required for capturing image data is intentionally extended, because only the camera action is made dull and slow, and for this reason, this is not the case. If the frequency of the write pulse (clock) is switched to shorten the continuous shooting interval (the processing time required for the generation of the captured image data), for example, in the case of the standard mode, the standard mode is connected. The interval between shots must be deliberately set to be long enough to have a certain margin. As a result, the continuous shooting interval of the image data corresponding to the number of pixels of the standard mode may be as long as practical. In other words, in the case where the number of pixels of the image pickup device of the image pickup device is greatly increased, it is difficult to obtain a practically sufficient function for preventing the leakage of the lens by the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the number of pixels is reduced to shorten the continuous shooting interval. According to this configuration, the clock system required for processing the captured image data can always be set to the continuous shot -27-1377842 interval of the highest frequency 'pixel number 摄像 of the captured image data, which can be obtained as a standard and practically sufficient. Short time. Then, in the shutter priority mode, the continuous shooting interval can be shortened to the extent that the leakage probability reduction effect can be sufficiently obtained. Further, in Patent Document 2, although the imaging interval T corresponding to the continuous shooting interval (processing time Tpr) in the present embodiment is changed and set, the imaging interval T is not changed by any technical configuration. Moreover, the photographing interval T is exemplified as, for example, 1 second, 0. 5 seconds, 0. 3 seconds, etc. In this case, it is also conceivable, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, by changing the frequency of the clock (write pulse). On the other hand, in the present embodiment, it is assumed to be, for example, 0. In the pre-image capture period of about 5 seconds, continuous shooting of 8 to 30 images is performed. The shooting interval (continuous interval: processing time Tpr) is 62. It is about 5ms to 16ms, which is very short compared to Patent Document 2. Therefore, in order to shorten the continuous shooting interval, it is effective to make the number of pixels of the captured image data variable. For the purpose of preventing the function of the missed shot, the mode that the user frequently uses in addition to the standard mode should be the shutter priority mode. However, for the user, even if continuous shooting is performed in the missed shot prevention mode, it is desired to pay more attention to high image quality than the standard mode, and this is a priority consideration. In order to satisfy such a demand, the present embodiment is also provided with a painting. Quality Priority Mode "The recording operation of the image quality priority mode will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, in the image quality priority mode, the image data A(l) to A(n) which are the front images and the image data B(l) to B(n) which are the rear images are displayed. ) is generated as a result of having a predetermined number of pixels L of -28 - 1377842 pixels Μ more than the standard mode. That is, the number of imaged images corresponding to the number of pixels L is set to the image sensor 12'. Then, the image sensor 12' is set to be larger than the number of imaging pixels in the standard mode, whereby the captured image data A(l)~A(n), B(1)~B memorized in the memory medium 30 are set. (n) is a number L of pixels having more than the number of pixels corresponding to the standard mode. In other words, as the captured image recorded by the missed shooting prevention mode, the image with the highest image quality among the three types of pixel numbers can be obtained. However, the captured image data having the number of pixels L has a larger data size than the captured image data having the number of pixels corresponding to the standard mode. Therefore, the processing time until the imaged image data is generated and written to the memory 15 is generated. Tpr, when the system is longer than the standard mode. Further, if the image capturing periods ((T, T2) are the same as in the standard mode, the number of captured image data (still image files) recorded in the memory medium 30 is also reduced. The flowchart of Fig. 7 is an operation procedure executed by the image pickup apparatus 1 in response to the operation required for the pixel number mode setting previously described with reference to Fig. 2. Further, the processing shown in the figure can be regarded as a program executed by the CPU of the control unit 18 in accordance with the execution program of the program. This point is also the same in the flowcharts of Figs. 8 and 9 to be described later. As described above, when the instruction to display the pixel number mode setting screen is obtained by the operation of the predetermined operation member of the operation unit 24, the imaging device 1 (CPU) executes the display unit 23 as shown in step S101. It displays the control of the pixel number mode setting screen. In addition, when the pixel number mode setting screen is first displayed by the step -29- 1377842 S101, the cursor CR is initially arranged in the shutter priority mode selection area Ar], the standard mode selection area Ar2, and the image quality priority mode is selected. A predetermined selection area among the areas Ar3. In the present embodiment, the cursor CR is initially displayed in the standard mode selection area Ar2. The image pickup apparatus 1 that displays the pixel number mode setting screen by the above-described step SI01 waits for the predetermined operation for selecting the standard mode by the steps S102, S104, S106, S108, and S109, and selects the shutter priority. The specified operation of the mode, the determined operation for selecting the image quality priority mode, the decision operation, or any of the predetermined operations for moving in (switching display) to other menu screens. When the operation of selecting the standard mode is performed, the process from the step S1 02 to the step S103 is performed, and the processing required to display the cursor CR to the standard mode selection area Ar2 is executed. When the operation for selecting the shutter priority mode is performed, the process proceeds from step S1 04 to step S105, and the processing required to display the cursor CR for the shutter priority mode selection area Arl is executed. When the operation for selecting the image quality priority mode is performed, the process proceeds from step S106 to step S1, and the processing required to display the cursor CR for the image quality priority mode selection area Ar3 is executed. Further, when the operation for moving to another menu screen or the like is performed, the process proceeds from step S109 to step S114. First, the pixel number mode setting screen displayed so far is erased, and the processing shown in the figure is canceled. After that, it is moved to the processing required to display the menu screen corresponding to the operation performed in step S109 and the actual number is specified as -30-1377842. Then, when it is determined that the operation is being performed, from step S108, the process proceeds to step S110. In step S1 1 0, it is determined which of the standard mode, the shutter priority mode, and the image priority mode is selected in the current (decision time of the decision operation). In the pixel number mode setting screen, when the cursor CR is placed in the standard mode selection area Ar2, the standard mode is selected, and when the cursor CR is placed in the shutter priority mode selection area Arl, the shutter priority is indicated. The mode is selected, and in the state in which the cursor CR is configured for the image quality priority mode Ar 3, the image quality priority mode is selected. When it is determined in step S110 that the standard mode is selected, the pixel number mode setting information indicating "standard mode" is generated in step S1U, and the flash memory 21 is written and memorized. Further, when it is determined in step S110 that the shutter priority mode is selected, the pixel number mode setting information indicating "shutter opportunity priority mode j" is generated and stored in the flash memory 21 in step S112. When it is determined in step S1 08 that the image quality priority mode is selected, the pixel number mode setting information indicating the "image quality priority mode" is generated and stored in the flash memory 21 in step S113. Once the processes of steps Sill, S112, and S113 are completed, the process proceeds to step S114, and the pixel number mode setting screen displayed so far is erased and moved to another desired process. For example, the other menu screens to be displayed are displayed, or the monitor image is displayed, or the reproduced image of the still image file memorized in the memory medium 30 is displayed. Next, an example of a processing procedure executed by the image pickup apparatus 1 in order to realize the photographing operation in the missed shot prevention mode will be described with reference to the flowcharts of Figs. 8 and 9 . For example, in response to a predetermined operation by the user, instructing the imaging operation to activate the missed shot prevention mode, the imaging apparatus 1 performs the start processing of the shooting operation by setting the leak prevention mode in step S201 of FIG. . When the photographing operation is started as described above, the image pickup apparatus 1 starts the processing, and the image pickup signal obtained by the image sensor 12 is imaged as the image data. Thereby, it is possible to memorize the state in which the captured image data is memorized to the memory medium in response to the shutter release operation. Next, the imaging device 1 refers to the pixel number mode setting information held in the flash memory 21 in step S202, and determines in step S203 whether the content indicated by the pixel number mode setting information is the standard mode or the shutter opportunity. Which of the priority mode or the image quality priority mode? If it is determined in the standard mode in step S203, the process proceeds to step S2〇4, and the data stored in the register of the control unit 18 (CPU) is stored in accordance with the number of pixels set in the standard mode. Information indicating the number of pixels. When it is determined in the step S2〇3 that the shutter priority mode is set, the process proceeds to step S205, and the data indicating the number of pixels N set in the shutter priority mode is stored in the register as a representation. Information about the number of pixels. When the image quality priority mode is determined in step S203, the process proceeds to step S206, and the temporary storage device stores the data corresponding to the number of pixels L set in the image quality priority mode. As information indicating the number of pixels. After the procedures of these steps S2 04, S205, and S2 06 are executed, the routine of Fig. 9 is entered. First, in step S301 of FIG. 9, the number of pixels stored in the temporary memory as an execution result of any of the previous steps S204, S205, and S2 06 is read, and the corresponding image sense is obtained. The number of imaging pixels of the detector 12. Then, the number of imaging pixels thus obtained is set to the image sensor. Although the photographing operation is started by the step S201 of FIG. 8 before, the image sensor 12 in the image pickup apparatus 1 is in the activated state, but since the above-described step S3 01 is executed, the image sensor 12 is set. The number of imaging pixels corresponding to any one of the standard mode, the shutter priority mode, or the image quality priority mode to be set by the user. Then, the image sensor 12 outputs the image pickup signal obtained by the imaging according to the number of image pickup pixels set in the step S301. In the signal processing unit 14, the number of pixels corresponding to the number of the image pickup pixels is generated (Μ Camera image data of any of N and L). In step S302, the maximum buffer number η' of the buffer image data of the buffer when the number of pixels (Μ, N, or L) stored in the register is set is set. That is, the number of buffer image data held in the area (buffer image data area) held in the memory 15 for holding the buffer image data is set. This is obtained by dividing the capacity of the field of the image data of the buffer image by the size of the data of the image data of the pixel number by the example of >33-1377842. Further, as described above, the maximum number of buffers η obtained here differs depending on the number of pixels corresponding to the pixel number mode (standard mode, shutter priority mode, and image priority mode). In addition, the capacity of the image data area in the buffer area is set based on, for example, the time set as the image capturing period (Τ I, Τ 2 ) and the data size of the image data corresponding to the number of pixels. In the step S3 03, the signal processing unit 14 captures the image signal of the still image portion to generate the image data, and writes it as the image data to be written to the memory 15 (write Into the preparation). Then, by the subsequent step S304, it is judged whether or not the captured image data (buffer imaged image data) held in the memory 15 has reached the maximum number of buffers η. If a negative discrimination result is obtained here, in the field of holding the buffer image data in the memory 15, there is a space area, and therefore, the captured image data generated in the previous step S303 is obtained by step S3 05, When the image data is captured, it is written to the address specified in the space of the upper space. That is, the image data is written and held in the space domain. This corresponds to the operation of writing the image signal data D(l) to D(n) as the image data to the memory 15 at the beginning in Fig. 3 . On the other hand, if an affirmative determination result is obtained in step S304, the captured image data can no longer be additionally written to the memory 15 and held. Therefore, at this time, by step S3 06, the address of the oldest buffer image data stored in the data held by the memory 15 in the memory 34 is written into the image data generated in step S3 04. . That is, the oldest piece of data in the buffer image data held in the memory 15 is overwritten with the latest camera image data. This corresponds to the description of FIG. 3, after the writing of the captured image data has passed one round, the image signal data D(n+1) is written down. After the procedures of steps S305 and S306 are described above, it is determined in step S307 whether or not the shutter release operation has been performed. If a negative determination result is obtained, the process returns to step S303. That is, the process of buffering the buffer image data to the memory 15 is performed while the steps S3 03 to S3 07 are being executed, while waiting for the shutter release operation to be performed. Then, once the shutter release operation is performed and a positive discrimination result is obtained in step S307, the program of step S308 is executed. In step S308, the captured image data of the buffer held in the memory 15 is written into the still image file and written to the control processing required by the media 100. Thereby, the continuous shooting of the front image is recorded. Further, in order to write to the memory medium 30, the image data of the buffer read from the memory 15 is erased from the memory 15. Next, the imaging device 1 generates the imaged image data based on the image pickup signal input from the signal processing unit 14 again in step S3 09, and prepares the writing of the image body 15 and then determines in step S310. Whether the captured image data (buffer image data) held in the buffer image data area of the memory 15 has reached the maximum buffer number η. In addition, since the subsequent image capturing period T2 is the same as the pre-image-35-1377842 image capturing period T1, the same maximum number of buffers as in step S3 04 is used in step S310. η可可” However, if the post-image capturing period Τ2 is set to be different from the previous image capturing period Τ1, the different maximum buffer numbers may be obtained again, and then the program of step S310 may be executed. When a negative determination result is obtained in step S3 1 0, in step S311, the captured image data generated in the previous step S3 09 is written to the idle address in the field of the captured image data in the buffered area. Keep it. Then, at this time, the buffer image data stored in the buffer image data area of the buffer of the memory 15 reaches the maximum buffer number η for the first time, and then proceeds from step S310 to step S312. In step S312, the image data of the buffer image held in the memory 15 is written and memorized in the memory medium 30. Thereby, the continuous shooting of the rear image is recorded. When the program of step S312 is executed, the process returns to step S301. » #可在", as described above with reference to Figs. 4 to 6, the flowchart shown in Fig. 9 is the image of the captured image in the missed shot prevention mode. At the time of data recording, first, the camera image data of the front image held in the memory 15 is recorded to the cell phone media 30 corresponding to the shutter release operation time point, and the image data of the image body 15 is recorded. The holding area becomes an idle state, and thereafter, the newly added predetermined number of pieces of captured image data are sequentially generated for the field of image data retention, and then accumulated in the memory 15, and recorded as a rear image. That is, the operation of reading the image data from the memory 15 and recording it to the recording medium 30 is performed twice in response to the first -36 - 1377842 image and the rear image. This recording procedure has the advantage that it is only required to prepare a small capacity in order to maintain the capacity required for the front image or the rear image data. However, as the memory of the memory 15 or the memory medium 30 is controlled as described above, the front and rear images are read by the body 15 and the memory medium 30 is performed. The start timing of the generation and writing processing of the captured image data causing the rear image is delayed. Therefore, when it is hoped that the focus will be avoided, such a problem. That is, first, the image capturing field in the memory 15 is set to correspond to the front image and then the 'corresponding to the shutter release operation point, and the image data is directly held in the front image. Use the field to reserve, and then immediately, after the data is generated successively, the image data to be written to the post image is saved and kept. Then, after keeping the necessary number of data, the timing of the data will be kept at the time! The captured image data of the image, and the post-image are taken into the memory medium 30 and recorded. Such a program, a flow chart, omits the procedure of step S308, and protects the unilateral aspect of the image by g-imaging the image data, for example, the characteristics of the billion-body component, or the different conditions, different timings from the record, etc. For example, it is possible to use the following image data to maintain the field for imagery. The image data of the previous image is held in the image capturing area of the image, and the image image 5 of the image is taken as the front image data, and the writing system corresponds to the special step S3 12 of FIG. 8 and will be made -37-1377842 The front image of the image data for the buffer image and the image data of the rear image are written to the memory medium 30 at a time. Further, the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the embodiment described so far except for the recording timings of the front image and the rear image described above. For example, in the description so far, the image capturing period (τ 1 , The time length of T2) is set to be substantially the same in the pixel number mode, but this is a condition that the image capturing period is substantially constant, and in order to facilitate understanding of the number of captured image data that can be obtained during the period, The number of pixels (processing time) changes while making assumptions. Therefore, under the invention of the present invention, during the image capturing period (ΤΙ, T2), it is also possible to appropriately set different appropriate time between the pixel number modes. For example, in the shutter priority mode, if the image capturing period is used ( At least one of ΤΙ and T2) is set to be shorter than the standard mode, and the total size of the captured image data (still image file) recorded in the memory medium 30 by the shutter priority mode is It will be smaller than the standard mode, which is in exchange for saving the memory capacity of the memory medium 30 and making effective use. Even in the above embodiment, although the photographic recording operation is performed in one pixel number mode The front image capturing period T1 and the rear image capturing period T2 are set to be substantially the same time, but these periods may be set to mutually different times. Further, in the above-described embodiment, although the mode other than the standard has one shutter priority mode and the image priority mode, the shutter-priority mode and the image priority mode may be used. At least one of the modes is further subdivided, and a plurality of different numbers of pixels can be set with respect to the standard. Further, in the omission prevention mode, the user interface for setting the continuous shooting interval or the like may be configured other than the content described with reference to Fig. 2 . For example, in FIG. 2, although the mode name is set for each continuous shooting interval (ie, the number of pixels) and is displayed in the selected area, it may be considered to replace the display with the desired setting. The number of pixels, the user interface that allows the user to make a selection. Further, in the case of the invention of the present invention at the time of the application, the photographing and recording operation as the omission preventing mode is performed by at least the timing corresponding to the shutter release operation timing and at the same timing as the normal mode. Recording, and then the photographic recording action made during the post-image capture period Τ2 is not executed. Alternatively, it may be configured such that the photographing and recording operation of the front image capturing period Τ 1 is not performed. Regardless of the configuration, if the image is recorded in accordance with the shutter release operation timing only by the normal mode, the effect of preventing the missed shot can be achieved, and therefore, it is taken as the invention of the present invention. There is nothing wrong with the composition to apply. Further, as described above, the image pickup apparatus 1 is described as a digital still camera that records a captured image as a still image, but for example, in a video recording apparatus in which a captured image is originally recorded by a digital signal. It is also known as a still image recording function equivalent to a digital still camera. The constitution of the present invention can also be applied to the mounting of -39 * 1377842 on a still image recording function such as such a video recording device. Further, the present invention can be applied to various electronic devices such as a mobile phone and other terminal devices to which a camera can be attached, in addition to these imaging devices. Further, as shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 7 to 9, the processing related to the setting of the continuous shooting interval in the omission preventing mode and the processing required for realizing the photo recording operation in the omission preventing mode can actually be adapted. Make appropriate changes as needed. As an example, in Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, after the maximum number of buffers of the captured image data of the buffer is obtained, it is determined whether or not the buffer of the memory 15 can be buffered according to whether or not the maximum number of buffers is reached. The space area of the area of the video image data is recorded, but, for example, it can be changed to compare the space capacity of the buffer image data area and the size of the video image data to be written now. Further, according to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, even in the post-image capturing period T2, the captured image data B(1) to B(n) generated by decreasing the time point t1 are once held in the memory 15 Then, it is written to the memory medium 30, but if possible, it may not be transmitted to the memory 15, but directly the image data B(l)~Β(η) to the encoding/decoding unit. Recording of the memory medium 30 is performed by sequential transmission. Further, as described above, the program example shown in the flowcharts in each of FIGS. 7 to 9 can be regarded as a result of executing the program by the CPU of the control unit 18, but such a program is, for example, FIG. The configuration can be previously stored in the ROM 19, the flash memory 21, and the like in the manufacturing stage. Moreover, for example, the program can be stored in a package medium, an external memory device, or a server on the network -40-1377842, and can be obtained and installed from these media (memory media) or devices, or can be obtained by upgrading. Class composition can be considered. [Brief Description of the Drawings] Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an image pickup apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. φ [Fig. 2] A diagram showing an example of the operation screen used for the pixel number mode selection setting in the missed shot prevention mode of the embodiment. [Fig. 3] A schematic illustration of the signal processing operation before the shutter release operation in the shooting operation in the missed shot prevention mode of the embodiment. Fig. 4 is a schematic illustration of an example of a photographing recording operation in the standard mode in the omission preventing mode of the embodiment. Fig. 5 is a schematic illustration of an example of a photographing and recording operation of a shutter priority mode in the missed shot prevention mode of the embodiment. # [Fig. 6] A schematic diagram of an example of a photographing recording operation in the image quality priority mode in the missed shot prevention mode of the embodiment. [Fig. 7] A diagram showing an example of the processing operation of the image pickup apparatus 1 in accordance with the operation required for the pixel number mode selection setting. Fig. 8 is a flow chart showing a processing procedure required for realizing a photographing operation in the omission preventing mode. Fig. 9 is a flow chart showing the processing procedure required for the photographing operation in the omission preventing mode, continued from Fig. 8. -41 - 1377842 [Description of main component symbols] ' 1 : Imaging device 1 1 : Optical system 1 2 : Image sensor 13 : A/D converter 14 : Signal processing unit 1 5 : Memory • 16 : Encoding / Decoding unit 1 7 : media controller

1 8 :控制部 19： ROM 20 : RAM 2 1 :快閃記憶體 22 :顯示驅動器 23 :顯示部 • 24 :操作部 24a :快門鍵 3 0 :記憶媒體 -42-1 8 : Control unit 19: ROM 20 : RAM 2 1 : Flash memory 22 : Display driver 23 : Display unit • 24 : Operation unit 24a : Shutter button 3 0 : Memory medium - 42-

Claims (1)

Translated fromChinese

13.77842 W年工月千日修正本| 第097117573號專利申請案中文申請專利範圍修正本 十、申請專利範圍 民國101年2月4 日修正 1- 一種攝像裝置，其特徵爲，具備： 攝像訊號取得手段，係將入射像光轉換成電子訊號以 獲得攝像訊號；和 資料生成手段’係藉由將相當於1個靜止影像單位的 上記攝像訊號予以依序輸入，而將具有作爲1靜止影像之 畫面內容的攝像影像資料，依序而連續地逐一生成；和 記錄控制手段，係隨應於用來指示要對應於其操作時 序而將已獲得之攝像影像資料記錄至記億媒體的快門釋放 操作所被進行的時序，而令上記攝像影像資料記憶至記憶 媒體’且係將上記快門釋放操作被進行之時序以前之間的 前影像擷取期間中所依序獲得的所定數之攝像影像資料， 或上記快門釋放操作被進行之時序以後的後影像擷取期間 中所依序獲得的所定數之攝像影像資料之至少任何—方， 寫入至s5憶媒體而加以記憶；和 操作手段，係當上記攝像影像資料是可視爲由像素之 二維集合所形成之情況下，藉由相當於針對該攝像影像資 料之像素數做變更設定之操作’而將對應於已被設定之像 素數的連拍間隔設定成，使得影像資料的總容量維持大致 一定；和 像素數設定控制手段，係進行控制，使其針對要被上 記記錄控制手段所記錄的攝像影像資料，可獲得藉由對上 1377842 記操作手段之操作所指定之上記像素數所形成的結果；和 資料保持控制手段，係將上記資料生成手段所生成的 攝像影像資料，保持在所定的記億體領域，且係將一直至 現時點爲止之期間中所獲得的所定數之攝像影像資料，經 常性地加以保持； 上記記錄控制手段，係爲了把上記前影像擷取期間中 被依序獲得之所定數的攝像影像資料或上記後影像擷取期 間中被依序獲得之所定數的攝像影像資料，寫入至記憶媒 體並記錄之，而執行令上記記憶體領域中所保持的攝像影 像資料之至少任一方，被寫入並記憶至記憶媒體的控制。 2.—種攝像訊號處理方法，其特徵爲，執行： 攝像訊號取得程序，係將入射像光轉換成電子訊號以 獲得攝像訊號；和 資料生成程序，係藉由將相當於1個靜止影像單位的 上記攝像訊號予以依序輸入，而將具有作爲1靜止影像之 畫面內容的攝像影像資料，依序而連續地逐一生成；和 記錄控制程序，係隨應於用來指示要對應於其操作時 序而將已獲得之攝像影像資料記錄至記憶媒體的快門釋放 操作所被進行的時序，而令上記攝像影像資料記憶至記憶 媒體，且係將上記快門釋放操作被進行之時序以前之期間 中所依序獲得的所定數之攝像影像資料，或上記快門釋放 操作被進行之時序以後所依序獲得的所定數之攝像影像資 料之至少任何一方，寫入至記憶媒體而加以記億；和 設定資訊保持程序，係隨應於對操作手段的操作，而 -2- I3J7842 將可代表經過變更設定之像素數之內容的設定資訊，加以 保持，該操作手段係被設計成’當上記攝像影像資料是可 視爲由像素之二維集合所形成之情況下’藉由相當於針對 該攝像影像資料之像素數做變更設定之操作’而將對應於 已被設定之像素數的連拍間隔設定成，使得影像資料的總 容量維持大致一定；和 像素數設定控制程序，係進行控制，使其針對要被上 記記錄控制程序所記錄的攝像影像資料，可獲得依上記設 定資訊所示之像素數所形成的結果；和 資料保持控制程序，係將上記資料生成程序中所生成 的攝像影像資料，保持在所定的記憶體領域，且係將一直 至現時點爲止之期間中所獲得的所定數之攝像影像資料， 經常性地加以保持； 在上記記錄控制程序中，爲了把上記前影像擷取期間 中被依序獲得之所定數的攝像影像資料或上記後影像擷取 期間中被依序獲得之所定數的攝像影像資料，寫入至記憶 媒體並記錄之’而執行令上記記憶體領域中所保持的攝像 影像資料之至少任一方，被寫入並記憶至記憶媒體的控制 〇 3. —種攝像訊號處理程式，其特徵爲，係令攝像裝 置執行： 資料生成程序’係從將入射像光轉換成電子訊號而獲 得攝像訊號的攝像訊號取得手段，藉由將相當於i個靜止 影像單位的上記攝像訊號予以依序輸入，而將具有作爲1 -3- 1377842 靜止影像之畫面內容的攝像影像資料，依序而連續地逐一 生成；和 記錄控制程序，係隨應於用來指示要對應於其操作時 序而將已獲得之攝像影像資料記錄至記億媒體的快門釋放 操作所被進行的時序’而令上記攝像影像資料記憶至記億 媒體，且係將上記快門釋放操作被進行之時序以前之間的 前影像擷取期間中所依序獲得的所定數之攝像影像資料， 或上記快門釋放操作被進行之時序以後的後影像擷取期間 中所依序獲得的所定數之攝像影像資料之至少任何一方， 寫入至記憶媒體而加以記憶：和 設定資訊保持程序，係隨應於對操作手段的操作，而 將可代表經過變更設定之像素數之內容的設定資訊，加以 保持，該操作手段係被設計成，當上記攝像影像資料是可 視爲由像素之二維集合所形成之情況下，藉由相當於針對 該攝像影像資料之像素數做變更設定之操作，而將對應於 已被設定之像素數的連拍間隔設定成，使得影像資料的總 容量維持大致一定；和 像素數設定控制程序，係進行控制，使其針對要被上 記記錄控制程序所記錄的攝像影像資料，可獲得依上記設 定資訊所示之像素數所形成的結果；和 資料保持控制程序，係將上記資料生成程序中所生成 的攝像影像資料，保持在所定的記億體領域，且係將一直 至現時點爲止之期間中所獲得的所定數之攝像影像資料， 經常性地加以保持； -4- 1357842 在上記記錄控制程序中’爲了把上記前影像擷取期間 中被依序獲得之所定數的攝像影像資料或上記後影像擷取 期間中被依序獲得之所定數的攝像影像資料，寫入至記憶 媒體並記錄之，而執行令上記記憶體領域中所保持的攝像 影像資料之至少任一方，被寫入並記憶至記億媒體的控制13.77842 W-year-old thousand-day revision | Patent application No. 097117573, Chinese patent application scope revision 10, patent application scope, Republic of China, February 4, 101 Revision 1 - A camera device, characterized in that it has: The means is: converting the incident image light into an electronic signal to obtain an image signal; and the data generating means 'by sequentially inputting the upper camera signal corresponding to one still image unit, and having the image as one still image The captured image data of the content is sequentially generated one by one in sequence; and the recording control means is associated with the shutter release operation for indicating that the obtained captured image data is recorded to the recording medium corresponding to the operation timing thereof. The sequence of the image to be recorded, and the recorded image data is memorized to the memory medium', and the predetermined number of captured image data sequentially obtained during the previous image capturing period between the time when the shutter release operation is performed, or The predetermined number obtained in the subsequent image capturing period after the timing at which the shutter release operation is performed is recorded. At least any of the image data of the camera image is written to the s5 memory for memorization; and the operation means is that when the camera image data is visually formed by the two-dimensional collection of pixels, The number of pixels of the captured image data is changed to set the operation', and the continuous shooting interval corresponding to the number of pixels that have been set is set so that the total capacity of the image data is maintained substantially constant; and the pixel number setting control means is controlled For the camera image data to be recorded by the recording control means, the result of the number of pixels specified by the operation of the upper 1377842 operation means can be obtained; and the data retention control means is to record the data. The captured image data generated by the means of generation is maintained in the predetermined field of the frame, and the fixed number of captured image data obtained during the period up to the current point is constantly maintained; In order to capture the predetermined number of captured image data during the previous image capture period At least one of the captured image data sequentially obtained in the image capturing period is written to the memory medium and recorded, and at least one of the captured image data held in the memory field is written. And remember to control the memory media. 2. A method for processing an image signal, characterized in that: performing: an image acquisition program for converting incident light into an electronic signal to obtain an image signal; and a data generation program by equivalent to one still image unit The above-mentioned image recording signals are sequentially input, and the image data having the image content as one still image is sequentially generated one by one in sequence; and the recording control program is used to indicate that it corresponds to the operation timing thereof. And recording the acquired video image data to the timing of the shutter release operation of the memory medium, and storing the recorded image data to the memory medium, and the timing of the shutter release operation is performed in the previous period. At least one of the fixed number of captured image data obtained by the sequence or the predetermined number of captured image data sequentially obtained after the timing of the shutter release operation is written to the memory medium to be recorded; and the setting information is maintained The procedure is in accordance with the operation of the operating means, and the -2- I3J7842 will represent the change The setting information of the content of the set number of pixels is maintained, and the operation means is designed to be 'when the recorded image data is visible as being formed by a two-dimensional set of pixels', by equivalent to the captured image The number of pixels of the data is changed to set the operation', and the continuous shooting interval corresponding to the number of pixels that have been set is set so that the total capacity of the image data is kept substantially constant; and the pixel number setting control program is controlled so that For the camera image data to be recorded by the recording control program, the result of the number of pixels indicated by the setting information is obtained; and the data retention control program is to record the image data generated in the data generation program. Keeping in the fixed memory area, and keeping the fixed number of camera images obtained during the period up to the current point, are kept frequently; in the above recording control program, in order to capture the previous image The video image data of the fixed number obtained in sequence or during the image capture period The predetermined number of captured image data obtained in sequence is written to the memory medium and recorded, and at least one of the captured image data held in the memory field is written and memorized to the control of the memory medium. 3. A camera signal processing program, characterized in that the camera device is executed: the data generating program is a camera signal acquisition means for converting an incident image light into an electronic signal to obtain an image signal, by equivalent to i The above-mentioned image recording signals of the still image unit are sequentially input, and the image data having the image content of the still image as 1 -3- 1377842 are successively successively generated one by one; and the recording control program is used in accordance with Instructing the recording of the obtained captured image data to the timing of the shutter release operation of the recording medium corresponding to the operation timing thereof, and recording the recorded image data to the recording medium, and the shutter release operation is recorded The predetermined number of captured image data obtained in the pre-image capture period between the previous timings Or at least one of the predetermined number of captured image data sequentially acquired in the post-image capturing period after the timing at which the shutter release operation is performed is written to the memory medium and memorized: and the setting information holding program is followed by The setting information representing the content of the changed number of pixels is maintained in the operation of the operation means, and the operation means is designed such that when the recorded image data is visually recognized as a two-dimensional collection of pixels In the case of formation, by setting an operation corresponding to the change of the number of pixels of the captured image data, the continuous shooting interval corresponding to the number of pixels that have been set is set such that the total capacity of the image data is maintained substantially constant; And the pixel number setting control program is controlled to obtain a result of the number of pixels indicated by the setting information for the image data to be recorded by the recording control program; and the data retention control program Keep the camera image data generated in the data generation program on the record The field, and the camera image data obtained during the period up to the current point, are kept frequently; -4- 1357842 In the above record control program, in order to capture the image before the recording The camera image data obtained in sequence or the camera image data obtained in sequence during the image capture period is written to the memory medium and recorded, and the execution is maintained in the memory field. At least one of the camera image data is written and memorized to the control of the billion media